The Relationship Between Core Endurance and Performance in National Female Badminton Athletes

Purpose: A theory states that strong core stability allows athletes to fully transfer forces from the upper extremities to lower extremities, and finally to the ground. On the contrary, weak core stability causes alterations in transferring forces, reduces sport performance, and increases risk for injury, especially in the lower extremities. Therefore, the current study investigated the relationship between core endurance and performance in professional female badminton athletes.  Methods: To examine the aforementioned relationship, badminton athletes invited to the 2017 Youth National Team camp (n=16, Mean±SD age=14.9±1.2 y, height=163.0±4.5 cm, weight=57.8±4.3 kg) completed core endurance and performance tests. Badminton athletes performed 5 performance tests (Y balance, vertical jump, 20 m sprint, 4×9 agility, and single-leg triple crossover hop tests), and 4 core endurance tests (trunk flexor, trunk extensor, and bilateral side bridge tests). Results: Data analysis indicated significant correlations between core endurance and balance (r=0.52, P=0.04), as well as between core endurance and triple crossover hop test (r=0.63, P=0.01); however, relations between core endurance and other performance tests (vertical jump, 20 m sprint, agility) were not statistically significant.  Conclusion: Considering the significant correlations between core endurance and balance and triple crossover hop test, it is suggested that personal trainers, coaches, and badminton athletes use the core stability exercises to improve balance and single-leg cutting maneuver. As a result, the chance of non-contact lower extremity injuries caused by the loss of balance or those occurring during cutting movement will be reduced.