Effects of the modified field test on exercise-induced peripheral fatigue in non-elite badminton players

Objectives This study aimed to examine the effects of a modified badminton field test (FT) on exercise-induced peripheral fatigue and its underlying responses in non-elite male college badminton players. We hypothesized that the repeated high-intensity intermittent efforts during the modified FT would lead to significant reductions in lower-limb muscle performance and elevate markers of peripheral fatigue, including blood lactate accumulation, perceived exertion, and heart rate elevation. Methods In a single-arm repeated-measures design, 15 healthy male collegiate badminton players (age: 20.2 ± 0.9 years; BMI: 20.9 ± 1.5 kg/m 2 ; playing experience: 1.3 ± 0.4 years) performed five consecutive sets of the field test interspersed with 60 s of passive recovery. Each set involved on-court shuttle runs to eight LED targets and was terminated upon volitional exhaustion, achievement of heart rate ≥92% HRmax, or an RPE ≥18 (Borg 6–20 scale). Markers of peripheral fatigue—vertical jump height (VJ), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and fingertip blood lactate (BL)—were assessed before the test and after each set. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA (for VJ, HR, RPE) and paired t-tests (for BL). Results VJ height progressively decreased from 41.8 ± 4.7 cm at baseline to 25.5 ± 4.5 cm after set 5 (Δ = 39.9%, η 2 p = 0.60, large effect size; p 0.001). Concurrent increases were observed in HR (63.5 ± 3.8 to 178.0 ± 3.9 bpm; η 2 p = 0.96, large effect size), RPE (6–18.7 ± 0.9; η 2 p = 0.95, large effect size), and BL (2.82 ± 1.12 to 16.07 ± 2.52 mmol L -1 ; Cohen’s d = 6.8, large effect size; all p 0.001). These convergent metabolic, neuromuscular, and perceptual responses confirm the induction of pronounced peripheral fatigue. Conclusion A single 15-min modified badminton FT reliably elicits marked peripheral fatigue in non-elite male players. The protocol provides coaches with an ecologically valid, low-cost and high-safety tool to monitor training load and mitigate fatigue-related injury risk. Future research should validate the FT in female and youth cohorts and explore longitudinal applications.