The effect of badminton specific exercise on badminton short serve performance in competition and practice climates

This study examined the effects of changes in physiological and psychological arousal on badminton short serve performance in competitive and practice climates. Twenty competitive badminton players (10 males, 10 females) volunteered to participate in the study following ethics approval. After familiarisation, Badminton short serve performance was measured at rest, mid-way through and at the end of a badminton specific exercise protocol in 2 conditions; competition vs practice. Ratings of cognitive and somatic anxiety were assessed at three time points prior to badminton short serve performance using the Mental Readiness Form 3 (MRF3). Heart Rate (HR) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were assessed during the exercise protocol. Results indicated better short serve performance was evident in practice compared to competition (P = 0.034). RPE values were significantly higher in the competition condition compared to practice (P = 0.007). Cognitive anxiety intensity was significantly lower post exercise in the practice condition compared to competition (P = 0.001). Cognitive anxiety direction showed greater debilitation post exercise in the competition condition compared to practice (P = 0.01). Somatic anxiety intensity increased from pre, to mid to post exercise (P= 0.001) irrespective of condition. This study suggests that badminton serve performance is negatively affected when physiological arousal, via badminton specific exercise, and cognitive anxiety, via perceived competition, are high. Publisher Statement: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in European Journal of Sport Science on 13/07/2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17461391.2016.1203362