An investigation of skills, tactical knowledge, and game performance transfer in badminton: A pickleball perspective

Abstract

In this study, the hypothesis that learning in one sport could transfer to another due to the shared movements and strategies between the two sports was examined. The transfer of learning between pickleball and badminton was studied in two physical education classes from a land-grant university in the United States. The classes consisted of 12 females and 22 males, with an average age of 19.91 ± 0.79 years. The classes met three times per week for 15 weeks, with 50 minutes per lesson. Class one learned pickleball first for 5 weeks, then badminton for 5 weeks, followed by a game season for 5 weeks. The order of instruction was reversed in Class Two. A pre-and post-design with a 2 x 2 repeated measurement analysis of variance was used to analyze the transfer effect from pickleball to badminton skills (i.e., wall volley, forehand clear), tactical understanding, and game performance. The results showed that both classes improved badminton skills, tactical understanding, and game performance after 15 weeks of intervention (p< 0.001). Learning pickleball before or after badminton did not have a significant effect on skills, tactical knowledge, or game performance.