PhD, Associate Professor O.M. Shterz¹
Yu.K. Zhestkova¹
 ¹Elabuga Institute of Kazan Federal University, Elabuga

Keywords: badminton, biological feedback test, muscle tension, muscle relaxation, peripheral temperature, emotional control skills.

Background. Modern training systems need to be reasonably designed and managed to secure good progress for competitive success in its every element including physical training components, diets, training equipment, rehabilitation methods and, of course, mental conditioning/ stress coping aspects [6]. Many analysts consider modern badminton practices beneficial for health as they claim and develop a wide range of motor skills and volitional qualities.

Modern badminton theory and practice cover a few technical, tactical and physical training domains, whilst the excellence trainings give a high priority to the psychological conditioning trainings with the theoretical/ intellectual progress securing aspects [2]. A special emphasis in the practical badminton training systems is made on speed qualities viewed as critical for success. Thus O.V. Zhbankov and B.V. Glebovich found that the sharper (in the optimal range) is the muscle elasticity in the movement inhibition phase, the faster is the switchover from the yielding to overcoming action phases and the higher is the muscle contraction power and speed [1]. N.V. Kazantseva, E.V. Glazova and A.A. Malevanny analyzed the badminton technique biomechanics to find the key role being played by the shooting qualities and abilities – influenced by many factors including the anatomical specifics of the joints and muscles, muscle strength levels, individual movement coordination qualities; and logics of the movement biomechanics in general [2].

A.V. Turmanidze believes that the strength maximizing trainings should be dominated by the top-intensity dynamic, static and mixed static-dynamic practices [5]. Sport-specific muscular activity may vary in a wide range albeit it is natural for the athletes to perceive mostly active/ movement-driving muscle tension whilst the psycho-emotional stress related muscle tension often remain below the perception threshold. Special trainings to master the muscle tension coordination and control skills may be beneficial, particularly in cases when the muscle tone control and management sensations and skills are underdeveloped, inhibited or invalidated to a degree.

Thermoregulation mechanism may be defined as the constant body temperature maintaining physiological function that balances the bodily heat production and consumption processes [4]. One of the stress response mechanisms is the blood circulation centralization by contraction (spasm) of peripheral vessels associated with the blood pressure growth and peripheral temperature fall. Therefore, fluctuations of the body temperature may be used as indicators/ markers of changes in the sympathetic vasoconstrictor system operation in transitions from stress to quiescent state. This mechanism is particularly expressed in children and adolescents i.e. in the intensive body growth and cortical brain structure maturing period.

Objective of the study was to analyze benefits of the biological feedback test assisted emotional balancing skill trainings in children’s badminton.

Methods and structure of the study.We sampled for the study Experimental Group (EG, n=34) of 8-11 year old badminton players from Olimp Sports School in the Elabuga Municipal District of the Republic of Tatarstan; and Reference Group (RG, n=30) of 7-11 non-sporting year-olds from the Children's University Education Project at Kazan Federal University’s Elabuga Institute.

The sample was tested by a biological feedback test digital test system at the Psycho-emotional State Correction Lab equipped with the muscle training and temperature training and functionality test units. The EG was subject to the muscle/ temperature trainings and functionality tests prior to and after every badminton training session. The muscle training/ test service included an muscle tension test; trapezius muscle training exercises; Jacobson muscle training practices; and trapezius muscle relaxation practice. And the temperature training/ test service included the muscle tension tests and autogenic muscle tension training practices. The functionality test data were processed by a standard mathematical statistics toolkit with the Student t-criterion.

Results and discussion. The pre-training muscle tension in the EG was tested to average 1723 mkW – versus 3487 mkW in the RG; and the post-training muscle tension in the EG was tested to average 886 mkW, with the pre- and post-training test data difference being significantly different (t = 2.86 at p≥0.01) – that means that the muscle training and relaxation service was beneficial for the trapezius muscle function. Every training session was started by a warm-up practice to stretch up and condition muscles making them fit for the workloads. Success of the badminton technicalities mastering practices is known to depend on how well the shoulder girdle is relaxed for freedom and perfect control of the carpal joint movements – due to the hand movement controls playing a key role in the badminton techniques.

It should be emphasized that the muscle relaxation skills in the second-year EG subgroup were tested much better than in the first-year EG subgroup, with the post-training muscle tension averaging 678 mkW and 967 mkW, respectively.

Furthermore, the Jacobson exercise performance accuracy tests showed a significant growth of the post- versus pre-training accuracy (t = 2.96 at p≥ 0.01) in the EG – versus the RG where 67% and 16% were tested low and high on the Jacobson exercise performance accuracy test scale. Generally the RG was tested capable to control the trapezius muscle tension rather than relaxation. The tests found that the lab muscle trainings in the EG facilitated progress in the speed qualities, movement coordination abilities and strength, with special improvements in the muscle tone controls, particularly in the controlled shoulder girdle tension and relaxation skills.

As for the temperature training practices in the EG, 68% and 72% showed high muscle tension controls in the pre- and post-training tests, respectively; 28% and 29% were tested with moderate muscle tension control in the pre- and post-training tests, respectively; and 4% and 0% were tested with low muscle tension controls in the pre- and post-training tests; with the differences in the muscle tension test data arrays found statistically insignificant.

Conclusion. The study data and analyses showed benefits of the biological feedback tests assisted emotional balancing skill trainings in children’s badminton as verified by progress in the muscle relaxation skills in the EG. Special muscle tension and temperature control trainings helped the junior badminton players master the controlled tension and relaxation of shoulder girdle in the speed, movement coordination and strength training process. The second-year EG subgroup was tested better on the muscle relaxation skills test scale than the first-year EG subgroup and showed high progress in the controlled muscle tension/ relaxation, emotional balancing and focused muscle relaxation skills. The young badminton players were also tested higher on the muscle tension control skill test scale than their non-sporting peers.

References

1. Zhbankov O.V., Glebovich B.V. Effektivnost deystviy v badmintone – temp ili tochnost? [Effectiveness in badminton - pace or accuracy?]. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury. 1997. No. 2. pp. 24-25.
2. Kazantseva N.V., Glazova E.V., Malyvanny A.A. Metodika obucheniya badmintonu dlya studentov srednikh spetsialnykh i vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy [Badminton training methodology for students of secondary specialized and higher educational institutions]. Irkutsk: BSU publ., 2016. 102 p.
3. Matveyev L.P. Vospitanie skorostnykh i silovyih sposobnostey [Training speed and strength abilities]. Teoriya i metodika fiz. kultury. 1991. 181 p.
4. Smetankin A.A. Zdorove na 5 [Perfect Health]. St. Petersburg: Biosvyaz publ., 2007. 160 p.
5. Turmanidze A.V. Kharakteristiki silovykh i skorostno-silovykh vozmozhnostey myshts vysokokvalifitsirovannykh badmintonistov [Characteristics of strength and speed-strength capabilities of muscles in elite badminton players]. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury. 2019. no. 8. pp. 8-11.

Corresponding author: olgashterz@mail.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to analyze benefits of the biological feedback test assisted emotional balancing skill trainings in children’s badminton.
Methods and structure of the study. A total of 34 primary schoolchildren attending the badminton section at the Municipal Budgetary Institution "Olimp" Sports School of the Elabuga municipal district of the Republic of Tatarstan and 30 non-sporting primary schoolchildren were involved in the study. When determining their level of emotional self-regulation, we applied the biological feedback method, which implied two practical courses conducted in a psychoemotional state correction center: muscular training and thermal training. The diagnostics of emotional regulation using the biological feedback toolkit was carried out before and after the badminton training session.

Results and conclusions. The analysis of the muscular training results revealed that the level of muscle tension at the end of the training session, as compared to its beginning, fell. The children in their second year of training in the badminton section were found to have a muscular relaxation level of 678 µW at the end of training, as opposed to those in the first year of training (967 µW). Proceeding from the findings, we may conclude that long-term badminton training contributes to the formation of a muscle relaxation skill. By the end of the training session, the children improved the efficiency of performance of Jacobson's exercises, which consists in alternating muscle tension and relaxation. The statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in the performance of Jacobson's exercises at the beginning and at the end of the training session. The thermal training showed no statistically significant differences in the peripheral temperature control before and after the training session.