Asavari Verma1, Pooja Sharma2 and Ajeeta Goel3*
1Amity Institute of Health and Allied Sciences Noida, Department of Physiotherapy, Amity University, India
2Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Physiotherapy Noida, India
3Sports Physiotherapist, Amity University, Noida, India
*Corresponding Author: Ajeeta Goel, Sports Physiotherapist, Amity University, Noida, India.
Received: February 01, 2024; Published: February 24, 2024
Badminton, with its demands for rapid movements and precise footwork, highlights the crucial role of balance in enabling players to maintain stability and execute effective shots. This balance not only contributes to on-field success but also helps in reducing the risk of injuries. Additionally, retro walking, a movement characterized by walking in the opposite direction to traditional forward walking, has garnered scientific interest. Several studies have explored its potential physiological and psychological benefits, making it a focal point for athletic enhancement and injury mitigation strategies.
This study sought to validate the hypothesis that retro walking could enhance the balance of badminton players. Thirty district and state-level badminton players aged 14-18 participated in a pre and post-test experimental design study, undergoing balance assessments using the Y balance scale for dynamic balance and a single-leg standing test for static balance. Participants engaged in four weeks of retro walking intervention during warm-up routines, gradually increasing from 10 to 25 minutes.
Analysis of pre and post-intervention data revealed significant improvements in both static and dynamic balance.
The results underscore the potential of retro walking as an effective intervention for enhancing balance in badminton players, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and improving overall performance. Incorporating retro walking into training regimens may offer athletes a competitive advantage and contribute to long-term athletic development.
However, limitations such as small sample size and challenges in securing cooperation from athletes and academies underscore the need for further research with larger sample sizes and improved collaboration. Additionally, the absence of specific instruments, such as the Biodex balance system, necessitated manual balance assessments using basic tools like stopwatches, potentially introducing measurement variability.
Future research could explore the optimal duration and frequency of retro walking sessions for maximizing balance improvements in badminton players. Additionally, investigating the transferability of balance enhancements to on-court performance would provide valuable insights into the practical implications of retro walking training.
In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of retro walking in improving the balance of young badminton players, offering a simple yet impactful intervention for optimizing athletic performance and reducing injury risks in the sport. Future research endeavors hold promise for elucidating the full potential of retro walking in athletic development across various sports contexts.
Keywords: Y Balance Scale; Single Leg Standing Test; Retro Walking; Static Balance; Dynamic balance; Eccentric Contraction (loading); Concentric Contraction (loading)
Citation: Ajeeta Goel., et al. “To Study the Effects of Retro Walking on Balance of District and State Level Badminton Players".Acta Scientific Orthopaedics 7.3 (2024): 54-59.
Copyright: © 2024 Ajeeta Goel., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.