TITLE:
Effect of 6-Week Functional Training on Smash Performance and Nervous System Function in Badminton Players: A Pilot Study
AUTHORS:
Shutao Wei, Zhiwen Zhu, Huilian Dai, Chenbin Xie
KEYWORDS:
Badminton Smash, Skill Control, Kinetic Chain, Motor-Unit Synchronization
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
17,
2025
ABSTRACT: Purpose: Biomechanical evidence indicates that enhanced coordination in the proximal-to-distal kinetic chain contributes to smash performance in badminton players. Functional training emphasizes multi-joint and multi-muscle movement patterns, which can lead to benefits in kinetic chain function. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 6-week functional training could improve smash performance, kinetic chain coordination, and peripheral nervous system function. Methods: Twelve trained badminton players were recruited. The functional training program was carried out 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Participants were tested before and after the functional training. Kinematic data during the smash task were measured to quantify smash quality, skill control, and kinetic chain efficiency. Peripheral nervous system function was assessed using patellar tendon reflex task. Results: We observed that participants presented greater maximum shoulder internal rotation (p = 0.022) and abduction (p = 0.038) angular velocity, as well as shorter time difference in time to peak resultant velocity between anterior superior iliac spine and acromion (p = 0.015) in post-compared to pre-functional training during the smash task. In addition, participants showed shorter latency in muscle response of rectus femoris (p = 0.004) and vastus medialis (p = 0.031) during the patellar tendon reflex task. Conclusions: These observations suggest that functional training has promise for improving coordination of the proximal-to-distal kinetic chain and optimizing peripheral nervous system function in badminton players.