title: Characteristics of sway in the center of gravity of badminton players.
abstract: [Purpose] To clarify the characteristics of fluctuations in the center of gravity (CoG) of badminton players by comparing them between those with high and low performance levels. [Subjects] Eight male badminton players belonging to teams ranked among the top 3 at the All Japan Badminton Championships (high-level group) and 8 playing badminton for recreation in university clubs (low-level group) were studied. [Methods] CoG sway during two- and one (dominant and non-dominant)-leg standing with the eyes open and closed were recorded for 30 seconds, using a stabilometer. [Results] With their eyes open, the CoG was maintained near the center by the high-level group, while it was displaced in the direction of the dominant leg by the low-level group, with a significant difference between the two groups. In contrast, with the eyes closed, the trace length, sway area, and X- and Y-axis sway amplitudes were greater in the low- than in high-level group, with significant differences between the two groups. [Conclusion] These results support the usefulness of standing on the non-dominant leg with the eyes closed for the evaluation of badminton players' balance ability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Health Science University, Japan.
authors.forename: Yujiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Health Science University, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muramatsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Kyousei Science, Seisa University, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hayashi
keywords: Badminton player; Balance ability; Center of gravity