Search Results (2)

Purpose: Footwork speed is closely linked to explosive strength, and both percentage- (PBRT) and velocity-based resistance training (VBRT) are popular methods for developing muscle strength. This study aimed to compare the effects of PBRT and VBRT on lower limb explosive power and footwork movement speed in elite university badminton players over a 6-week training period. Methods: A total of 20 elite badminton players (12 males, 8 females) from Tongji University were randomly divided into VBRT (n = 10) and PBRT groups (n = 10). The VBRT group trained with loads determined by target speed and velocity loss, while the PBRT participants used fixed loads based on a percentage of their one-repetition maximum (1RM). Both the groups performed free-weight back squats with relative loads ranging from 65% to 95% of 1RM over 6 weeks. The pre- and post-training measurements included back squat 1RM; countermovement (CMJ), squat (SJ), and standing long jumps (SLJs); self-weighted squat jump speed (SJS); left and right touch line (LRF), full-field four-point (FF), and front and back touch net footwork (FBF). Results: (1) The baseline measurements showed no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). (2) Post-training, both VBRT and PBRT improved the participants’ lower limb explosive power and footwork movement (p < 0.05). (3) The VBRT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the PBRT group in all the measures (p < 0.05). Conclusions: VBRT was superior to PBRT in boosting lower limb explosive power and footwork speed in badminton players over 6 weeks, leading to more significant strength–related and neural adaptations. Full article

This present study aims to review the available evidence on the biomechanics of table-tennis strokes. Specifically, it summarized current trends, categorized research foci, and biomechanical outcomes regarding various movement maneuvers and playing levels. Databases included were Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PubMed. Twenty-nine articles were identified meeting the inclusion criteria. Most of these articles revealed how executing different maneuvers changed the parameters related to body postures and lines of movement, which included racket face angle, trunk rotation, knee, and elbow joints. It was found that there was a lack of studies that investigated backspin maneuvers, longline maneuvers, strikes against sidespin, and pen-hold players. Meanwhile, higher-level players were found to be able to better utilize the joint power of the shoulder and wrist joints through the full-body kinetic chain. They also increased plantar pressure excursion in the medial-lateral direction, but reduced in anterior-posterior direction to compromise between agility and dynamic stability. This review identified that most published articles investigating the biomechanics of table tennis reported findings comparing the differences among various playing levels and movement tasks (handwork or footwork), using ball/racket speed, joint kinematics/kinetics, electromyography, and plantar pressure distribution. Systematically summarizing these findings can help to improve training regimes in order to attain better table tennis performance. Full article