Thermoregulatory Responses and Match Characteristics Across Successive Badminton Matches

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Environmental Physiology

Background:

• Badminton is a demanding sport requiring high levels of physical exertion.
• Understanding the physiological and performance impacts of successive matches is crucial for training and competition strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of two consecutive badminton matches on thermal strain, perceptual responses, and match characteristics in trained athletes.
• To assess core body temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, and sweat loss during and between matches.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-eight trained badminton players (15 male, 13 female) participated in two successive 30-minute singles matches (M1 and M2).
• Environmental conditions were controlled at 23.8°C and 54.5% relative humidity.
• Physiological measures including core temperature (Tcore), skin temperature, and heart rate were continuously monitored.
• Sweat loss was calculated via body mass changes, and match characteristics were analyzed from video footage.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in average core temperature (Tcore) across M1, rest, and M2, although players experienced mild hyperthermia (Tcore ≥38.5°C for 31-46% of match time).
• Average heart rate was slightly higher in M1 compared to M2 (P = .036).
• Fluid intake adequately compensated for sweat loss, preventing significant dehydration (<1% body mass loss).
• An increase in total strokes executed was noted from M1 to M2 (P = .004).

Conclusions:

• Successive badminton matches do not significantly alter thermal strain or perceptual measures in trained players, despite mild hyperthermia.
• Maintaining adequate fluid intake is essential for sustaining performance levels throughout consecutive matches.
• Match intensity, indicated by stroke count, may increase slightly between successive games.