Six-week plyometric training: Effects on agility in young badminton players

Abstract

Background: Agility is a critical physical attribute for optimal performance in badminton. Plyometric training, known for enhancing these attributes through dynamic, high-intensity exercises, has shown promising results in various sports. This study aimed to investigate the effects of plyometric training on the agility of male badminton players. Methods: Thirty inter-collegiate male badminton players from the University of Calicut were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CG, n=15) and a plyometric training group (PTG, n=15). While the CG continued with regular badminton training, the PTG engaged in an additional plyometric training program for six weeks, three days per week, with each session lasting at least 45 minutes. Agility was assessed using the T-agility test through pre- and post-intervention measurements. The data were analyzed using a t-test at a 0.05 significance level to evaluate the impact of the training. Results: The PTG demonstrated statistically significant improvements in Agility (p