Does a Loaded Warm-Up Influence Jump Asymmetry and Badminton-Specific Change of Direction Performance?

Abstract

Purpose: Previously, it has been shown that loaded warm-up (LWU) can improve change-of-direction speed (CODS) in professional badminton players. However, the effect of asymmetry on CODS in badminton players and the influence of LWU on asymmetry has not been examined. Methods: A total of 21 amateur badminton players (age 29.5 [8.4] y, playing experience 8.4 [4.2] y) completed 2 trials. In the first, they performed a control warm-up. In the second, they performed the same warm-up but with 3 exercises loaded with a weight vest (LWU). Following both warm-ups, players completed single-leg countermovement jump and badminton-specific CODS tests. Results: No significant differences between control warm-up and LWU were observed for CODS, single-leg countermovement jump, or single-leg countermovement jump asymmetry. However, small effect sizes suggested faster CODS (mean difference: −5%; d = −0.32) and lower asymmetries (mean difference: −3%; d = −0.39) following LWU. Five players (24%) experienced CODS improvements greater than the minimum detectable change while 2 (10%) responded negatively. Asymmetry was not correlated with CODS following control warm-up (ρ = .079; P = .733) but was negatively associated with CODS after LWU (ρ = −.491; P = .035). Conclusion: LWU may prove a strategy to trial on an individual basis, but generic recommendations should not be applied.

Acute Effects of Vibration Foam Rolling Warm-Up on Jump and Flexibility Asymmetry, Agility and Frequency Speed of Kick Test Performance in Taekwondo Athletes

“…Our results revealed that the GW + VR and GW + double VR protocols did not improve the CMJ asymmetry performance, which is consistent with a study that reported no significant effects of a loaded warm-up protocol on a single leg CMJ asymmetry performance [47]. For example, the previous study reported no significant differences in the change of direction speed, single-leg CMJ, or single-leg CMJ asymmetry performance between the traditional dynamic warm-up protocol (including DS, jogging, step, jump, and corner shadow play drill) and a warm-up protocol with a weight vest (10% body mass vest was worn for the performance jump and corner shadow play drill [47]. In contrast, Mangine et al revealed that rugby athletes completed three maximal, 40 m sprint trials while being tethered to a robotic resistance device (loaded at 147.1N), which reduced the bilateral asymmetry [48].…”

Inter-Limb Jump Asymmetries and Their Association with Sport-Specific Performance in Young Male and Female Swimmers

“…In this regard, the relationship between inter-limb asymmetry and performance measures is not yet conclusive [ 3 ], and thus warrants further investigation. Furthermore, studies have focused on unilateral jumping inter-limb asymmetries across different sports (e.g., soccer, skateboarders, cricket, basketball, badminton, tennis) and within a specific gender (i.e., either male or female) [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. However, inter-limb jump asymmetry (i.e., using dry land tests such as CMJ and SLJ) among young male and female swimmers and their relationship with sport-specific performance has received little attention in the literature.…”