Fitness profile of elite junior South African badminton players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the fitness profile of the elite junior badminton players in South Africa through the measurement and description of their body composition, aerobic power, muscular characteristics, speed, flexibility and agility. Eight elite male and seven elite female badminton players between the ages of 14 and 18 years completed the following field tests: multistage-shuttle run, vertical jump, lunge jump, sit-ups, push-ups, forwards and backwards speed and the SEMO agility test. The strength of the hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups, and arm power-endurance was measured on the Cybex II Isokinetic Dynamometer. Flexibility was measured using the Leighton Flexometer. The following means (+ SD) were observed for the male players: stature 180.4 (8.1) cm, mass 73.4 (9.7) kg, body fat 9.6 (1.6)%, somatotype 3.0-4.1-3.1 (1.0-1.1-1.0) and VO2max 50.7 (3.0) mlO2.kg-1.min-1. The female players had the following means (+ SD): stature 161.2 (4.3) cm, mass 58.1 (7.9) kg, body fat 19.2 (4.5)%, somatotype 4.0-4.3-2.0 (1.0-1.1-0.7) and VO2max 42.0 (2.8) ml.O2.kg-1.min-1. It was concluded that aerobic power, leg power and flexibility of the players needed to be improved.


Key words: Physiological profile, badminton players, fitness tests.


(Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2003 Special Edition: 114-120)