Physical fitness characteristics of amateur badminton players: a comparative analysis of dynamic balance, agility, and ankle strength

Background and Study Aim. Badminton is a high-intensity, multidirectional sport that requires optimal dynamic balance, agility, and lower-limb strength to support performance and reduce health risk. Amateur players often participate regularly in training and recreational matches that involve repeated directional changes, rapid movements, and substantial loading of the lower limbs. Such activity patterns make dynamic balance, agility, and ankle strength relevant functional characteristics in badminton participation. This study compared key physical fitness components between Malaysian amateur badminton players and healthy active controls. Materials and Methods. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 246 participants (122 amateur badminton players and 124 healthy active controls) aged 18–40 years. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Agility was assessed using the T-test. Ankle strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer. Independent samples t-tests were performed to examine between-group differences. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. Amateur badminton players demonstrated significantly higher weekly playing frequency and duration than controls. No significant differences were observed in demographic or anthropometric characteristics. Between-group analyses revealed no statistically significant differences in dynamic balance across all Y-Balance Test directions, agility performance, or ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor strength (all p > 0.05). Trivial effect sizes were observed across outcomes (Cohen’s d range −0.06 to 0.16). Overall, both groups exhibited comparable functional performance profiles despite differences in sport participation. Conclusions. Regular participation in amateur badminton was not associated with superior dynamic balance, agility, or ankle strength compared with generally physically active individuals. These findings suggest that recreational-level badminton participation alone may be insufficient to induce distinct sport-specific physical adaptations. Targeted structured conditioning programs may therefore be necessary to optimize performance and support injury prevention in amateur badminton populations.