Comparative Study to Find out the Effectiveness of Core Strengthening Training (Pilates) versus Plyometric training to Promote Dynamic Balance and Agility in Elite Indian Badminton Players

The ability to change direction and position of the body quickly and effectively while maintaining posturalstability and orientation are important in badminton sports. There is also harmony related to skill and planachievement during dynamic balance and agility. Purpose: The purpose of the study to ascertain the effectsof core strengthening training (Pilates) versus Plyometric training in promoting dynamic balance and agilityin elite Indian badminton players. Study design: Quasi experimental design. Methodology: 34 subjects whomet the inclusion and exclusion criteria were allotted to the study. General Assessment Proforma like AGE,HEIGHT, WEIGHT, LEVEL OF COMPETITION, HOURS OF PRACTICE, MEDICAL AND SURGICALHISTORY, AND LIMB LENGTH MEASUREMENTS (ASIS TO MEDIAL MALLEOLUS) are collectedfrom each players. The subjects were divided into two equal groups. Group A was given CST (Pilates) andGroup B Plyometric training. Outcome measures were taken before and after the program schedule of 2sessions alternately in 1 week for 6 week. Outcome measures: Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), CoreMuscle Endurance Test (CMET), Illinois Agility Test (IAT). Results:- In Group A (Pilates) and Group B(Plyometric), all data was expressed as mean ±SD and was statistically analyzed by using paired t-test andunpaired t-test to determine the statistical difference among the parameters at 0.05% level of significance.Statistical data of SEBT, CMET, and IAT in badminton players shows that, there was no significant differencebetween the groups, but both were individually effective with p<0.05 i.e 95% of significant. Conclusion:-Inthis study, we concluded that both the groups were equally effective in promoting dynamic balance, coreendurance and agility in elite Indian badminton players, no, one treatment program is proved to be superiorthan the other statistically.