Neuromuscular Warm-Up Program for Badminton Players (NWUPFBM)

Developing a Novel Neuromuscular Warm-Up Program for Recreational Badminton Players: An Experimental Study

This study aims to develop and evaluate a new warm-up program specifically designed for recreational badminton players. The program focuses on exercises that enhance balance and reduce the risk of ankle injury. Participants will be asked to follow this warm-up routine, and their performance will be assessed before and after to see if the exercises improve their balance and overall movement. The goal is to create a practical, effective warm-up routine that can be easily incorporated into badminton practice.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Balance; Distorted; Ankle Injury
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Neuromuscular Warmup Program; Behavioral: Traditional Warmup Program

Detailed Description

This study investigates the effectiveness of a novel neuromuscular warm-up program tailored for recreational badminton players. The program is designed to improve balance, enhance movement efficiency and reduce the risk of injuries commonly associated with badminton.

Participants will be recruited from recreational badminton clubs and will undergo baseline assessments of balance performance and lunge movement using motion capture (Mocap), EMG. and inertia measurement unit (IMU). The warm-up program includes a series of targeted exercises selected based on expert consensus from a previous Delphi study. These exercises focus on key areas such as dynamic stability, and proprioception.

Participants perform pre and post test with Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and forward lunge movement with (IMU, MOcap and MEG) attached on the lower limb. The intervention will be: 1) novel neuromuscular warmup and 2) traditional warmup. Participants will perform both the warmup but on different days with one day rest in between the interventions.

The study's findings aim to inform best practices for warm-up routines in badminton, potentially offering a standardized program that can be widely adopted by recreational players to enhance their performance and safety on the court.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 21
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Malaysia
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50603
    • University of Malaya

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Injury free for >1 year, plays badminton minimum of once a week, have experience of playing at least 3 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Badminton players that participate in competition in any level (novice, intermediate or elite tier), involve in any regimented training, participants with any joint disorder, non-communicable diseases (NCD), neurologically unstable, consumption of any medication that can interfere with performance.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental; badminton players who plays badminton socially once a week with minimum experience of three years	Behavioral: Neuromuscular Warmup Program; This intervention consists of a structured warm-up routine specifically designed to enhance neuromuscular function and balance. The program includes exercises such as two way forward lunge, single-leg balance, multidirectional lunges, single-leg hops forward and backward, and single-leg calf raises. Each exercise is aimed at improving proprioception, dynamic stability, and lower limb strength.
Active Comparator: Control; badminton players who plays badminton socially once a week with minimum experience of three years	Behavioral: Traditional Warmup Program; This intervention involves a conventional warm-up program. It includes general stretching exercises and light jogging intended to prepare the body for physical activity.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Balance Performance	Balance will be measured using standardised tests such as the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), which evaluates the participant's reach distances in multiple directions	pre-test conducted immediately before the intervention and a post-test conducted immediately after the intervention
Ankle Movement	This measure will assess the angle of (dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion) and (inversion and eversion) at the ankle joint during the lunge movement. The aim is to evaluate changes in ankle joint alignment and range of motion as a result of the neuromuscular warm-up program. Ankle angles will be measured using motion capture technology and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide accurate and objective data.	pre-test conducted immediately before the intervention and a post-test conducted immediately after the intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Neuromuscular Activity	This measure will evaluate neuromuscular activity using electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle activation patterns during the lunge movement. EMG sensors will be placed on key muscles involved in the lunge, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, to record electrical activity. This data will help determine the impact of the neuromuscular warm-up program on muscle activation, coordination, and overall neuromuscular function during dynamic movements.	pre-test conducted immediately before the intervention and a post-test conducted immediately after the intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Malaya
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Saranya Navaratnarajah, Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Akbari M, Karimi H, Farahini H, Faghihzadeh S. Balance problems after unilateral lateral ankle sprains. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2006 Nov-Dec;43(7):819-24. doi: 10.1682/jrrd.2006.01.0001.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 3, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 18, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): October 20, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 4, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 4, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): September 19, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 18, 2024
• Last Verified: December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Recreational Badminton; Balance Improvement; Ankle Injury Prevention; Neuromuscular Warm Up; Warm Up Program
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Leg Injuries; Ankle Injuries
• Other Study ID Numbers: UM.TNC2/UMREC_3398

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No