Effects of Integrated Neuromuscular Training on Physical Fitness in Badminton Athletes of Different Maturity Statuses.

Dominant leg use in badminton may contribute to lower limb asymmetry, potentially affecting performance and injury risk. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week integrated neuromuscular training (NMT) program on sports performance. Twenty-four well-trained male badminton players (age: 13.5 ± 1.15 years) were randomly assigned to groups based on maturation status (pre-peak height velocity [pre-PHV] and post-peak height velocity [post-PHV]; = 12 each). All participants completed two NMT sessions weekly. Pre- and post-training assessments included a 20 m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), agility -text, hexagon test, and Y-balance test. Both groups improved significantly across most tests. The post-PHV group (ES: 0.70-1.35) showed greater improvements in sprinting, CMJ, and agility, while the pre-PHV group (ES: 0.39-1.23) improved more in balance and asymmetry. These results underscore the need for age- and maturity-specific training strategies to optimize performance and address asymmetries in youth athletes.