Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of combined balance and plyometric training on knee function and proprioception of elite badminton athletes.MethodsSixteen elite male badminton players volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to a combined balance and plyometric training and plyometric group. The CT group performed balance combined with plyometric training three times a week over 6 weeks ; while the PT group undertook only plyometric training for the same period. Both groups had the same technical training of badminton.ResultsThe knee function and proprioception were assessed at baseline and after the intervention by measuring the performance of single-legged hop tests, standing postural sway, and LSI of dominant leg and non-dominant leg. The results showed that as compared to PT, CT induced significantly greater improvements in LSIT and LSIS.ConclusionIn elite badminton players, intervention using CT holds great promise to augment the benefits for knee function compared to the intervention using PT only, and at the same time, with at least comparable benefits for proprioception. Future studies are needed to examine and confirm the results of this study.