Pablo Abián

Analysis of dehydration and strength in elite badminton players.

Background The negative effects of dehydration on aerobic activities are well established. However, it is unknown how dehydration affects intermittent sports performance. The purpose of this study was to identify the level of dehydration in elite badminton players and its relation to muscle strength and power production. Methodology Seventy matches from the National Spanish badminton championship were analyzed (46 men’s singles and 24 women’s singles). Before and after each match, jump height and power production were determined during a countermovement jump on a force platform. Participants’ body weight and a urine sample were also obtained before and after each match. The amount of liquid that the players drank during the match was also calculated by weighing their individual drinking bottles. Results and Discussion Sweat rate during the game was 1.14±0.46 l/h in men and 1.02±0.64 l/h in women. The players rehydrated at a rate of 1.10±0.55 l/h and 1.01±0.44 l/h in the male and female groups respectively. Thus, the dehydration attained during the game was only 0.37±0.50% in men and 0.32±0.83% in women. No differences were found in any of the parameters analyzed during the vertical jump (men: from 31.82±5.29 to 32.90±4.49 W/kg; p>0.05, women: from 26.36±4.73 to 27.25±4.44 W/kg; p>0.05). Post-exercise urine samples revealed proteinuria (60.9% of cases in men and 66.7% in women), leukocyturia (men = 43.5% and women = 50.0%) and erythrocyturia (men = 50.0% and women = 21.7%). Conclusions Despite a moderate sweat rate, badminton players adequately hydrated during a game and thus the dehydration attained was low. The badminton match did not cause muscle fatigue but it significantly increased the prevalence of proteinuria, leukocyturia and erythrocyturia.

The ingestion of a caffeinated energy drink improves jump performance and activity patterns in elite badminton players

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a caffeine-containing energy drink to enhance physical and match performance in elite badminton players. Sixteen male and elite badminton players (25.4 ± 7.3 year; 71.8 ± 7.9 kg) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomised experiment. On two different sessions, badminton players ingested 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass in the form of an energy drink or the same drink without caffeine (placebo). After 60 min, participants performed the following tests: handgrip maximal force production, smash jump without and with shuttlecock, squat jump, countermovement jump and the agility T-test. Later, a 45-min simulated badminton match was played. Players’ number of impacts and heart rate was measured during the match. The ingestion of the caffeinated energy drink increased squat jump height (34.5 ± 4.7 vs. 36.4 ± 4.3 cm; P < 0.05), squat jump peak power (P < 0.05), countermovement jump height (37.7 ± 4.5 vs. 39.5 ± 5.1 cm; P < 0.05) and countermovement jump peak power (P < 0.05). In addition, an increased number of total impacts was found during the badminton match (7395 ± 1594 vs. 7707 ± 2033 impacts; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results show that the use of caffeine-containing energy drink may be an effective nutritional aid to increase jump performance and activity patterns during game in elite badminton players.

Temporal and notational comparison of badminton matches between men’s singles and women’s singles

The purpose of the study was to compare the temporal and notational structures in games and matches between men’s singles (MS) and women’s singles (WS) in the current top level of world badminton players. Ten matches of each event (n=20), from the official videos of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, were analyzed. Match duration (MS: 2378.0±387.9 s, WS: 1696.1±170.4 s.; P<0.05), real time played (MS: 613.7±80.1 s and WS: 493.6±70.2 s; P<0.05), rally time, rest time and shots per rally were significantly higher in men’s singles than in women’s singles, whereas work density and percentage of time played (MS: 26.0±2.1%, WS: 29.0±2.0%; P<0.05) were higher in women’s single. There were no differences in variables between the first and the second game in any event. For the final shot of each rally it was observed that the unforced error, the smash, the net and the drive were the most decisive shots in matches. It was also found differences (P<0.05) between the two events; the smash and the drive were commonly used by men and the drop was commonly used by women. In conclusion the temporal and notational structure of the badminton match was different when comparing men’s singles from women’s singles.

Notational comparison of men’s singles badminton matches between Olympic Games in Beijing and London

The purpose of the study was to compare the notational structure in men’s singles games between the Olympic Games in Beijing and London to observe how badminton evolved from 2008 to 2012. Twenty games of each event (n=40), were analyzed using the official videos of the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games. Game duration (Beijing:1124.6±229.9 s vs. London:1260.3±267.1 s; P<0.05), real time played (Beijing:306.9±45.7 s vs. London:354.7±86.5 s; P<0.05), rally time, shots per rally, rest time at point 11, rest time between games and shots per rally were significantly higher in London than in Beijing. Rally time intervals between 0-2.9 s were more frequent in Beijing (P<0.05) than in London and rest time between rallies of 27-29.9 s were more frequent in London (P<0.05); this distribution of time intervals suggests that badminton is evolving towards longer rallies with greater rest intervals pushing the limits of the badminton regulations. No differences were found between Beijing and London in the distribution of the last shot in each rally. In conclusion the timing factors of the badminton game was different in London 2012 from Beijing 2008, badminton is evolving towards longer rallies with greater rest intervals resulting in longer matches.

Análisis Antropométrico de la Simetría Corporal en Jugadores de Bádminton

El objetivo del estudio fue comprobar si existen diferencias entre el lado dominante y no dominante de las medidas antropometricas en los mejores jugadores y jugadoras espanoles de badminton, asi como verificar si el lado del cuerpo donde se realiza la medicion puede influir en el calculo de la composicion corporal y del somatotipo. Participaron voluntariamente en el estudio 46 jugadores de badminton de elite, 31 eran hombres (edad=21,7±4,3 anos) y 15 mujeres (edad=19,1±4,4 anos). Se tomaron las medidas de 6 pliegues cutaneos, 3 diametros, 3 longitudes y 5 perimetros del lado dominante y no dominante de los sujetos. Se calculo la composicion corporal y el somatotipo con los valores registrados en cada uno de los lados. No se encontraron diferencias en los pliegues ni en las longitudes entre el lado dominante y no dominante, como consecuencia tampoco se encontraron diferencias significativas en el porcentaje de grasa (dominante=11,20±4,45%; no dominante=11,12±4,48%; ns). Aparecieron valores superiores (p<0,05) en los diametros oseos y en los perimetros en el lado dominante. El porcentaje oseo fue mayor calculado a partir de las mediciones del lado dominante (dominante=16,37±1,14%, no dominante=15,66±1,12%; p<0,001). El porcentaje muscular fue mayor calculado a partir de las mediciones del lado no dominante (dominante=49,39±2,60%, no dominante=50,18±2,69%; p<0,001). Como conclusion podemos afirmar que existen asimetrias corporales en los jugadores de badminton de alto nivel, al encontrarse diferencias en los diametros oseos y en los perimetros entre el lado dominante y no dominante. Al calcular la composicion corporal con el lado dominante de los jugadores de badminton se esta sobreestimando el porcentaje oseo e infraestimando el porcentaje muscular.

Muscle damage produced during a simulated badminton match in competitive male players.

The purpose of the study was to assess the occurrence of muscle damage after a simulated badminton match and its influence on physical and haematological parameters. Sixteen competitive male badminton players participated in the study. Before and just after a 45-min simulated badminton match, maximal isometric force and badminton-specific running/movement velocity were measured to assess muscle fatigue. Blood samples were also obtained before and after the match. The badminton match did not affect maximal isometric force or badminton-specific velocity. Blood volume and plasma volume were significantly reduced during the match and consequently haematite, leucocyte, and platelet counts significantly increased. Blood myoglobin and creatine kinase concentrations increased from 26.5 ± 11.6 to 197.3 ± 70.2 µg·L−1 and from 258.6 ± 192.2 to 466.0 ± 296.5 U·L−1, respectively. In conclusion, a simulated badminton match modified haematological parameters of whole blood and serum blood that indicate the occurrence of muscle fibre damage. However, the level of muscle damage did not produce decreased muscle performance.

Movement patterns in under-19 rugby union players: Evaluation of physical demands by playing position

The aim of the study was to assess physical performance during competition in elite youth rugby players with respect to their specific position on the field (backs vs. forwards). Twenty two elite male under-19 rugby union players voluntary participated in the study (13 forwards and 9 backs). Players’ activity profiles were assessed using Global Positioning System technology during three rugby union friendly matches. Players’ heart rates were also recorded. No significant differences were found between forwards and backs in total distance covered, average speed, or maximum and average heart rate. Backs covered significantly greater running distance than forwards at 0 to 6 km. h-1 (35.5±4.1 vs. 28.7±4.0 m·min-1; p<0.05) and greater distance at speeds of 20 km. h-1 and greater (7.5±2.8 vs. 2.6±2.2 m·min-1; p<0.05) whereas forwards covered greater distance at 6 to 12 km. h-1 (26.6±4.8 vs 19.9±4.8 m·min-1; p<0.05) and at 12 to 14 km. h-1 (8.8±2.7 vs. 6.5±2.0 m·min-1; p<0.05). Backs performed more very high-intensity runs than did forwards (0.33±0.13 vs. 0.14±0.10 no·min-1; p<0.05). In conclusion physical demands during the match differed between backs and forwards with backs performing a greater number of high intensity efforts than did forwards.

Analysis of the physical and technical differences between 7-a-side and 8-a-side game modalities in official under 12 soccer matches

Abstract The aim of the present investigation was to compare physical and technical performance in two types of small sided games (7-a-side and 8-a-side) during official under 12 soccer matches. 154 male under 12 regional soccer players (10.7 ± .8 years) participated in the study. The participants were categorised into two soccer-groups, 76 were classed in the 7-a-side and 78 in the 8-a-side game modality. Physical variables during the matches were assessed using Global Positioning System technology. The matches were video-taped, and each individual technical action was notated afterward. The 7-a-side game modality showed higher values for high-intensity distance (p < .001), very high intensity distance (p < .001); sprint distance (p = .037); and total distance (p < .001) covered and work/rest ratio (p = .005) than the 8-a-side game modality. In addition, an increased number of attacking movements was recorded in the 7-a-side game modality (.16 ± .13 vs. .10 ± .09 m·min-1; p = .001). In conclusion, the 7-a-side game modality included a greater number of physical and technical skills than the 8-a-side game in the under 12 soccer players. Therefore, it would be recommendable to use the 7-a-side game modality to favour better physical–technical development in young soccer players.