Badminton is a high intensity sport, consisting of frequent lower extremity movements such as lunging, shuffling and jumping. The aim of this study was to compare a six-week plyometric and resistance training intervention on badminton players change of direction speed, jump height and force output. The participants (n = 9) were healthy, male, badminton players (age 19.0 ± 1.0 years; stature 178 ± 10.3 cm; body mass 80.0 ± 12.2 kg; resistance training 3.1 ± 2.3 years; plyometric training 1.6 ± 0.9 years; badminton playing experience 8.9 ± 2.8 years) volunteered to take part. The study was ethically approved by the University of Lincoln. The participants completed three tests: The agility T-test, countermovement jump, and an isometric mid-thigh pull. After a familiarisation week and pre-testing, the participants were allocated to either the plyometric group or the resistance group. Both groups then completed a six-week training intervention, training once a week. Both groups then completed the same three test for post testing, one week after the last training session. The Two-Way mixed ANOVA revealed a significant improvement (p = .002) between the plyometric group and resistance group for the countermovement jump and isometric mid-thigh pull (p = .036), but there was no significant difference between groups for the agility T-test (p = .328). The results of this study suggest that a six-week plyometric training intervention is effective at improving jump height and force output greater than resistance training, but not for change of direction speed.
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