PHYSIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS TO QUANTIFY TRAINING LOAD IN BADMINTON

Objective-To estimate the training load of specific on court training regimens based on the magnitude of variation of heart rate-lactate res ponse during specific training and to determine the magnitude of varia tion of biochemical parameters (urea, uric acid, and creatine phosphok inase (CPK)) 12 hours after the specific training programme so as to a ssess training stress. Methods-The study was conducted on six national male badminton players. Maximum oxygen consumption (V-O2), ventilatio n (V-E), heart rate, and respiratory quotient were measured by a proto col of graded treadmill exercise. Twelve training sessions and 35 sing les matches were analysed. Heart rate and blood lactate were monitored during technical training routines and match play. Fasting blood samp les collected on two occasions-that is, during off season and 12 hours after specific training-were analysed for serum urea, uric acid, and CPK. Results-Analysis of the on court training regimens showed lactate values of 8-10.5 mmol/l in different phases. The percentage of maximu m heart rate ranged from 82% to 100%. Urea, uric acid, and CPK activit y showed significant changes from (mean (SD)) 4.93 (0.75) mmol/l to 5. 49 (0.83) mmol/l, 0.23 (0.04) to 0.33 (0.06) mmol/l, and 312 (211.8) t o 363 (216.4) IU/l respectively. Conclusion-Maximum lactate reported i n the literature ranges from 3-6 mmol/l. Comparatively high lactate va lues and high percentage of maximum heart rate found in on court train ing show a considerable stress on muscular and cardiovascular system. The training load needs appropriate monitoring to avoid overtraining. Workouts that are too intensive may interfere with coordination, a fac tor that is important in sports requiring highly technical skill such as badminton.