Keywords
Footwork
Badminton
Plyometrics
Shadow
How to Cite
Abstract
Badminton is a high-intensity sport that requires excellent footwork, agility, and explosive movements. Footwork techniques are essential for positioning the body to execute optimal strokes, and deficiencies in this area can negatively affect performance. Plyometric training improves lower-body power and quickness, while shadow training enhances movement patterns and court positioning. Combining these two methods may significantly improve footwork performance, particularly among under-21 male athletes, yet this approach remains underexplored. This study examined the effect of combined plyometric and shadow training on the footwork ability of badminton athletes. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was used, involving fifteen under-21 male badminton athletes from Universitas Negeri Padang selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria of being active, under-21, and injury-free. Participants completed sixteen training sessions of combined plyometric and shadow exercises. Footwork ability was measured before and after the intervention using the validated six-way footwork test with a shuttlecock, recorded manually with a stopwatch. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26, applying normality and homogeneity tests followed by a paired-sample t-test. The results showed a significant improvement in footwork performance (p < 0.05), with most athletes shifting from “poor” in the pretest to “good” or “excellent” classifications in the posttest. These findings demonstrate that the combined training effectively enhanced agility, coordination, and movement efficiency. In conclusion, the integration of plyometric and shadow training provides an effective and engaging approach for improving badminton athletes’ footwork ability and can be recommended for coaches aiming to optimize player performance.
References
Agostini, B. R., Palomares, E. M. D. G., Andrade, R. D. A., Uchôa, F. N. M., & Alves, N. (2017). Analysis of the influence of plyometric training on improving the performance of athletes in rhythmic gymnastics. Motricidade, 13(2), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.9770
Abdollahi, S., Sheikhhoseini, R., Roostayi, M. M., & Huddleston, W. E. (2022). The effect of fatigue on electromechanical response times in basketball players with and without persistent low back pain. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21940-8
Akbar, S., Kim Geok, S., Bashir, M., Jazaily Bin Mohd, N. N., Luo, S., & He, S. (2024). Effects of Different Exercise Training on Physical Fitness and Technical Skills in Handball Players. A Systematic Review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38(11), e695–e705. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004908
Alvarez, O., Tormo-Barahona, L., Castillo, I., & Moreno-Murcia, J. A. (2021). Examining controlling styles of significant others and their implications for motivation, boredom and burnout in young swimmers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115828
Ardha, M. A. Al, Nurhasan, N., Wiriawan, O., Purnomo, M., Wijaya, A., Arief, N. A., Wicanhyani, S., Putra, N. S. R. P., Bikalawan, S. S., Yang, C. B., & Putra, K. P. (2024). Analysis of badminton research trend in the last three decades: bibliographic analysis of Scopus journal database. Retos, 60, 129–139. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v60.102822
Arnando, M., Syafruddin, Okilanda, A., Sasmitha, W., Saputra, M., Sepriadi, Zulbahri, Amra, F., Wulandari, I., & Ahmed, M. (2024). The Influence of Agility Training on the Badminton Athletes’ Ability. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 12(2), 356–362. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2024.120210
Chandra, S., Sharma, A., Malhotra, N., Rizvi, M. R., & Kumari, S. (2023). Effects of Plyometric Training on the Agility, Speed, and Explosive Power of Male Collegiate Badminton Players. Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 13(1), 52–58. https://doi.org/10.15280/jlm.2023.13.1.52
Chen, L., Zhang, Z., Huang, Z., Yang, Q., Gao, C., Ji, H., Sun, J., & Li, D. (2023). Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Plyometric Training on Lower Limb Explosive Strength in Adolescent Athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031849
Chiu, Y.-L., Tsai, C.-L., Sung, W.-H., & Tsai, Y.-J. (2020). Feasibility of smartphone-based badminton footwork performance assessment system. Sensors, 20(21), 6035. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20216035
Daneshjoo, A., & Raeisi, S. (2020). Effect of Eight Weeks Plyometric Training on Some Kinematic Parameters, Horizontal Jumping Power, Agility, and Body Composition in Elite Parkour Athletes. Journal of Sport Biomechanics, 6(1), 54–65. https://doi.org/10.32598/biomechanics.6.1.1
Donie, S., M. N. M., O., A., E., E., S., D., & Suganda, M. A. (2023). Concentration, eye coordination and agility: How they influence badminton playing skills. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(12), 3309–3317. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2023.12378
Ethiraj, B., Kamatchi, M., Mariyappan, R., Subbramani, L., Veluchamy, V., & Chinnathambi, D. (2024). Investigating the Effectiveness of Six-Week Plyometric Training Intervention on Speed-Strength Fitness Abilities of Male Team Handball Players. Slobozhanskyi Herald of Science and Sport, 28(1), 44–50. https://doi.org/10.15391/snsv.2024-1.006
Ghosh, M., Chakraborty, S., Mohapatra, P., Singh, A., Sharma, M., Behera, D., & Ranawat, D. (2024). Impact of customized training program on physical attributes of badminton players. Trends in Sport Sciences, 31(3), 179–186. https://doi.org/10.23829/TSS.2024.31.3-6
Hu, Z., Zhang, Y., Dong, T., Dong, M., Kim, S., & Kim, Y. (2023). Gender Differences in Neuromuscular Control during the Preparation Phase of Single-Leg Landing Task in Badminton. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12093296
Ihsan, F., Nasrulloh, A., Nugroho, S., & Kozina, Z. (2024). Optimizing Physical Conditioning Programs for Badminton Athletes: A Comprehensive Review of Training Strategies - A Systematic Review Optimización de programas de acondicionamiento físico para atletas de bádminton: una revisión completa de las estrategias. Retos, 54, 488–498. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v54.103208
Ihsan, F., Nasrulloh, A., Nugroho, S., & Yuniana, R. (2024). The Effect of Shadow Training and Muscle Endurance on Agility of Badminton Athletes 12-17 Years of Age. Retos, 54, 36–45. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v54.103003
Kang, S. (2018). Difference of neuromuscular responses by additional loads during plyometric jump. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 14(6), 960–967. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1836428.214
Kuo, K. P., Liao, C. C., & Kao, C. C. (2022). Improving Special Ability Performance of Badminton Players through a Visual Reaction Training System. Healthcare (Switzerland), 10(8), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081454
Kurt, C., Canli, U., Erdaş, S. E., Poli, L., Carvutto, R., Cataldi, S., Fischetti, F., & Greco, G. (2023). Effectiveness of Vertical versus Horizontal Plyometric Training on Stretch-Shortening Cycle Performance Enhancement in Adolescent Soccer Players. Healthcare (Switzerland), 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111615
Lam, W. K., Ryue, J., Lee, K. K., Park, S. K., Cheung, J. T. M., & Ryu, J. (2017). Does shoe heel design influence ground reaction forces and knee moments during maximum lunges in elite and intermediate badminton players? PLoS ONE, 12(3), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174604
Li, F., Li, S., Zhang, X., & Shan, G. (2023). Biomechanical Insights for Developing Evidence-Based Training Programs: Unveiling the Kinematic Secrets of the Overhead Forehand Smash in Badminton through Novice-Skilled Player Comparison. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 13(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/app132212488
Longakit, J., Aque, F. M., Toring-Aque, L., Lobo, J., Ayubi, N., Mamon, R., Coming, L., Padilla, D. K., Mondido, C. A., Sinag, J. M., Geanta, V. A., & Sanjaykumar, S. (2025). The effect of a 4-week plyometric training exercise on specific physical fitness components in U21 novice volleyball players. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 29(2), 86–95. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2025.0202
Loturco, I., Pereira, L. A., Freitas, T. T., Moura, T. B. M. A., Mercer, V. P., Fernandes, V., Moura, N. S. A., Moura, N. A., Zając, A., & Bishop, C. (2023). Plyometric Training Practices of Brazilian Olympic Sprint and Jump Coaches: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Their Choices and Insights. Journal of Human Kinetics, 88(July), 131–150. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/169167
Lu, Z., Zhou, L., Gong, W., Chuang, S., Wang, S., Guo, Z., Bao, D., Zhang, L., & Zhou, J. (2022). The Effect of 6-Week Combined Balance and Plyometric Training on Dynamic Balance and Quickness Performance of Elite Badminton Players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031605
Luo, J., Hu, Y., Davids, K., Zhang, D., Gouin, C., Li, X., & Xu, X. (2022). Vision-based movement recognition reveals badminton player footwork using deep learning and binocular positioning. Heliyon, 8(8), e10089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10089
Ma, S., Geok Soh, K., Binti Japar, S., Xu, S., & Zhicheng, G. (2024). Maximizing the performance of badminton athletes through core strength training: Unlocking their full potential using machine learning (ML) modeling. Heliyon, 10(15), e35145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35145
Malwanage, K. T., Senadheera, V. V., & Dassanayake, T. L. (2022). Effect of balance training on footwork performance in badminton: An interventional study. PLoS ONE, 17(11 November), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277775
Marin, A., Stefanica, V., & Rosculet, I. (2023). Enhancing Physical Fitness and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Junior Tennis Players: Evaluating the Influence of “Plyospecific” Training on Youth Agility. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15139925
Najwa Aulia, S., Bachtiar, B., & Maulana, F. (2023). The Effect of Multiball and Shadow Training Methods on Forehand Push Accuracy in Table Tennis Extracurriculars. Journal Coaching Education Sports, 4(2), 331–342. https://doi.org/10.31599/jces.v4i2.2093
Panda, M., Rizvi, M. R., Sharma, A., Sethi, P., Ahmad, I., & Kumari, S. (2022). Effect of electromyostimulation and plyometrics training on sports-specific parameters in badminton players. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 4(4), 280–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2022.08.002
Permana, D. A., Kusnanik, N. W., Nurhasan, & Raharjo, S. (2022). a Six-Week Plyometric Training Program Improves Explosive Power and Agility in Professional Athletes of East Java. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 22(4), 510–515. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2022.4.08
Phytanza, D. T. P., Burhaein, E., Lourenço, C. C. V., Widodo, P., Widiyono, I. P., Irawan, Y. F., Sutopo, W. G., Saleh, M., Parmadi, M., & Azizah, A. R. (2021). Profile of Physical Condition of Indonesian Intellectually Disabled Badminton Athletes During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Sport Science, 15(1), 168–177.
Pratama, A. P., Sukamti, E. R., Suhartini, B., Sulistiyowati, E. M., Ilham, Sepdanius, E., Ayubi, N., Ndayisenga, J., & Sibomana, A. (2024). Effects of Shadow Training and Leg Muscle Strength on Badminton Footwork Agility: A Factorial Experimental Design. Retos, 54, 207–215. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v54.103303
Radulović, N., Vukadinović-Jurišić, M., Pavlović, R., Obradović, J., & Mihajlović, I. (2022). The effects of experimental program on the explosive strength of lower limbs in male adolescents. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 26(5), 311–318. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2022.0505
Reinoso, A. R. M., Erazo, A. P. A., Soto, G. F. F., Sánchez, Y. M. S., & Crespo, S. B. S. (2024). Plyometric exercises program in lower limbs to boost the jumping capacity in female basketball players under 12. Sapienza, 5(SI1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.51798/sijis.v5isi1.762
Saini, A., Dubey, B. K., & Vishwakarma, R. (2025). Ascertaining the Effectiveness of Coordination Training Interventions in Enhancing Sports Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 25(1), 183–190. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.1.22
Shimizu, M., & Yamada, H. (2024). Shot performance characteristics of badminton players of different skill levels. Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine, 73(5), 193–204. https://doi.org/10.7600/jspfsm.73.193
Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., Bellon, C. R., Hornsby, W. G., & Stone, M. H. (2021). Training for Muscular Strength: Methods for Monitoring and Adjusting Training Intensity. Sports Medicine, 51(10), 2051–2066. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01488-9
Supriyanto, A., Pangastuti, N. I., Lismadiana, Sawali, L., & Sugiyanto, F. (2022). Did Indonesian Badminton Succeed in the Tokyo Olympics? International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 10(6), 1225–1231. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2022.100614
Valldecabres, R., De Benito, A. M., Losada, J. L., & Casal, C. A. (2020). Badminton world championship stress zones and performance factors: The key to success through log-linear analysis. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 17(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.14198/JHSE.2022.171.02
Wang, Y., Xu, L., Jiang, H., Yu, L., Wu, H., & Mei, Q. (2024). Biomechanical Effects of the Badminton Split-Step on Forecourt Lunging Footwork. Bioengineering, 11(5), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11050501
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Arnando, Nurul Ihsan, Syafruddin, Ardo Okilanda, Yovhandra Ockta