Development of Sand Court Training Program to Enhance Physical Fitness and Skills in Novice Badminton

Background and Aims: The creation of a sand court training program presents a special chance for inexperienced badminton players to improve their abilities and physical condition. Because sand offers resistance, players must move and footwork with more effort, which increases their agility and endurance. The uneven surface also forces players to hone their technique, which improves balance and coordination—two skills necessary for winning the game. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of sand court training programs on the physical fitness and skills of novice badminton students, particularly in comparison to traditional synthetic court training. Methodology: The sample group consisted of 10 first-year students from Guangdong University of Business Studies, comprising 5 males and 5 females, all of whom had no prior experience in badminton training. Purposive sampling was employed to ensure participants had consistent backgrounds in badminton skill training. The primary tool utilized in this study was a sand court badminton training plan designed by experts, rather than questionnaire surveys. T-test statistical analysis was employed to analyze participants' physical fitness and skill test results before and after the training. Results: After 8 weeks of sand court training, participants showed significant improvements in both physical fitness (including balance, endurance, explosiveness, flexibility, and speed) and badminton skills (including serving accuracy, smashing accuracy, blocking accuracy, footwork, and defense). In comparison to traditional synthetic court training, sand court training provided participants with more challenges and better training outcomes. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that sand court training effectively enhances the physical fitness and badminton skills of beginners. Therefore, compared to traditional synthetic court training, sand court training offers superior training effects, providing a new perspective on badminton training methods and highlighting the potential value of incorporating sand court training into training programs.