Neuromuscular Warm-Up Program for Badminton Players

Developing a Novel Neuromuscular Warm-Up Program for Recreational Badminton Players: An Experimental Study

This study aims to develop and evaluate a new warm-up program specifically designed for recreational badminton players. The program focuses on exercises that enhance balance and reduce the risk of ankle injury. Participants will be asked to follow this warm-up routine, and their performance will be assessed before and after to see if the exercises improve their balance and overall movement. The goal is to create a practical, effective warm-up routine that can be easily incorporated into badminton practice.

This study investigates the effectiveness of a novel neuromuscular warm-up program tailored for recreational badminton players. The program is designed to improve balance, enhance movement efficiency and reduce the risk of injuries commonly associated with badminton.

Participants will be recruited from recreational badminton clubs and will undergo baseline assessments of balance performance and lunge movement using motion capture (Mocap), EMG. and inertia measurement unit (IMU). The warm-up program includes a series of targeted exercises selected based on expert consensus from a previous Delphi study. These exercises focus on key areas such as dynamic stability, and proprioception.

Participants perform pre and post test with Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and forward lunge movement with (IMU, MOcap and MEG) attached on the lower limb. The intervention will be: 1) novel neuromuscular warmup and 2) traditional warmup. Participants will perform both the warmup but on different days with one day rest in between the interventions.

The study's findings aim to inform best practices for warm-up routines in badminton, potentially offering a standardized program that can be widely adopted by recreational players to enhance their performance and safety on the court.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Injury free for >1 year, plays badminton minimum of once a week, have experience of playing at least 3 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Badminton players that participate in competition in any level (novice, intermediate or elite tier), involve in any regimented training, participants with any joint disorder, non-communicable diseases (NCD), neurologically unstable, consumption of any medication that can interfere with performance.