Body composition, bone health status and isokinetic muscular performance among Malaysian young male badminton players, archers and non-athletes

Abstract

Background: This study investigated body composition, bone health status and isokinetic muscular performance among Malaysian young male badminton players, archers and non-athletes as controls. Methods: Thirty-three participants (mean age: 15.1 [1.4 years]) were divided into three groups, which were non-athlete control (n = 11), archery (n = 11) and badminton (n = 11) groups. Participants’ percentage of body fat (%BF), muscle mass or fat-free mass (FFM) and bone speed of sound (SOS) were measured. In addition, participants’ knee (flexion and extension) and shoulder (extension and flexion) peak torque (PT, an indicator of muscular strength) and average power (AVG.P) were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results: Badminton athletes showed a significant higher (P = 0.021) shoulder extension AVG.P at 180°/s compared to the non-athletes. Both badminton and archery athletes showed significantly higher values of isokinetic knee flexion AVG.P at 180°/s and 300°/s, knee extension PT and AVG.P at 180°/s when compared to non-athletes. In badminton players, significant positive correlations were observed between FFM with arm bone SOS (r = 0.727, P = 0.011) and shoulder PT at 60°/s (r= 0.736, P = 0.010), respectively. Arm bone SOS showed significant positive correlations with shoulder PT at 60°/s (r = 0.674, P = 0.023), shoulder flexion AVG.P at 300°/s (r = 0.614, P = 0.023) and shoulder extension AVG.P at 300°/s (r = 0.633, P = 0.049), respectively. Leg bone SOS was also significantly positive correlated with knee flexion AVG.P at 300°/s (r = 0.727, P = 0.011) and knee extension AVG.P at 300°/s (r = 0.639, P = 0.034), respectively, in badminton players. Conclusions: Engagement in badminton and archery sports of athletes could enhance muscular strength and power compared to non-athletes.