Effect of Core Muscle Strength Training on Body Composition and Core Strength among Female Recreational Badminton Players

Background: Badminton requires repeated high-intensity multidirectional movements, rapid changes of direction, lunges, and jumps the core musculature contributes to trunk stability, efficient force transmission, and movement efficiency. Structured core muscle strength training (CMST) may improve core muscular performance and selected body composition variables in recreational badminton players. Aim: To determine the effect of core muscle strength training (CMST) on body composition and core strength among female recreational badminton players. Methodology: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test study was conducted among 30 female recreational badminton players aged 19-25 years. Participants underwent a six-week CMST programme, three sessions per week. Body composition was assessed using a karada portable body composition monitor, while core strength and endurance were assessed using the endurance plank test and the one-minute sit-up test. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the paired t-test, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Total body fat decreased from 0.27 ± 0.06 to 0.26 ± 0.06 (p=0.001), and visceral fat decreased from 4.45 ± 3.51 to 4.23 ± 3.23 (p=0.008). Trunk skeletal muscle percentage did not show a significant change (p=0.085). One-minute sit-up test score increased from 18.27 ± 5.04 to 30.53 ± 7.18 (p=0.001), while endurance plank test holding timeincreased from 26.80 ± 19.32 seconds to 49.70 ± 29.79 seconds (p=0.001). Conclusion: Total body fat decreased from 0.27 ± 0.06 to 0.26 ± 0.06 (p=0.001), and visceral fat decreased from 4.45 ± 3.51 to 4.23 ± 3.23 (p=0.008). Trunk skeletal muscle percentage did not show a significant change (p=0.085). One-minute sit-up test score increased from 18.27 ± 5.04 to 30.53 ± 7.18 (p=0.001), while endurance plank test holding timeincreased from 26.80 ± 19.32 seconds to 49.70 ± 29.79 seconds (p=0.001).