Maturity Level and Motor Coordination Performance of Teenage Badminton Players in Malaysia
Aamar Hashim1*, Mohd Rozilee Wazir1, Tengku Fadilah1
1 Fakulti Pendidikan, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Accepted: 15 April 2023 | Published: 30 April 2023
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55057/ajress.2023.5.1.20
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Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of maturity and motor coordination performance of teenage badminton players in Malaysia. Researchers conducted this cross-sectional study, which involved 102 study samples (male=53, female=49) divided into four age groups (13 years, 14 years, and 15 years). The researcher used a purposive sampling method where the selected sample consisted of the top badminton players from all over Malaysia. The player's maturity level is determined by the method proposed by (Khamis and Roche) to predict adult height using the age of their mother and father. There are six motor coordination performance tests used in this study, namely KTK 'balance beam', KTK 'eye-hand coordination' (EHC), KTK 'jumping sideways' (JS), KTK 'shifting platform' (SP), 'shuttlecock throw' ( ST) and "plate tapping (PT). The findings of this study explain the pattern of increasing maturity levels among male and female badminton players with increasing age. The player's peak maturity level was detected at the age of 15 for boys at a rate of 98.9% or 2.34 cm difference between the mean height of the current and the predicted peak height, while for female players at a rate of 97.79 % or 3.83 cm. Overall, the maturity level of male and female players does not have a significant difference. The KTK test "shifting platform" detected a decrease in performance as the player's age increased. Male players were found to decline by 26 repetitions at the age of 13 to 15 years, while female players by 30 repetitions. The study found that changes in motor coordination performance occurred at different ages for male and female players. In conclusion, the researchers suggest that the management and coaches consider the players' maturity level and motor coordination performance in the player selection process. Coaches are encouraged to include elements of players' maturity levels in the process of designing their training programs. Motor coordination in badminton is seen as important and can be trained to improve game performance.
Keywords: Maturity, motor coordination
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1. Introduction
The sport of rackets has been played for more than 130 years, and during this time, many developments have been carried out towards this sport. In recent years, the commercialization of racquet sports has focused on improving performance, and this has led to a more scientific approach to the study and understanding of all aspects of racquet sports. This development, coupled with more individuals interested in applying their scientific skills to racquet sports, has seen rapid growth in scientific endeavors. This effort has opened a special space in scientific studies and includes various scientific disciplines, such as sports physiology and nutrition, notation analysis, sports biomechanics, sports medicine, sports engineering, sports psychology,
and motor skills (Lees, 2003). Although badminton has grown in popularity since it was included as an official sport at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, there is still a lack of research on performance capacity, which is the highest level of performance a player can achieve, which should be a benchmark for coaches of elite players (Cabello Manrique &
González -Badillo, 2003).
Badminton is one of the three most challenging competitive sports and the fastest racket sport.
The game provides general technology for physical training and creates a set of motor skills, as well as physical and psychological fitness necessary for faster and more successful mastery of knowledge based on accurate motor skills (Stovba et al., 2020). Badminton introduced in the syllabus of physical education at the university, and school level can solve the problem of attracting students to physical education and improving the health of students in general (Stovba et al., 2020).
In this study, researchers examined the level of maturity and motor coordination performance of teenage badminton players in Malaysia. The talent search process is always a priority for a sports body to ensure that the performance of a sport will continue. Most racquet sports associations use talent identification processes and development programs to help youth, sub- elite players develop into elite players. Therefore, the importance of gaining knowledge about the profile of teenage badminton players becomes more important as the core of the process of identification and development throughout the career of teenage players (Faber et al., 2016).
As a result of this study, the researchers were able to identify the importance of the level of maturity and the pattern of achievement of motor coordination performance among selected teenage badminton players in Malaysia.
2. Research objective
This study is divided into 2 objectives which are general objectives and specific objectives.
The general objective of this study is to identify the pattern of maturity level and motor coordination performance among selected male and female teenage badminton players in Malaysia.
Apart from that, there are specific objectives in this study, which are :-
i. Identifying the pattern and level of peak maturity of male and female badminton players between the ages of 13 and 15.
ii. Identifying the pattern of improvement and peak motor coordination performance of male and female badminton players aged between 13 and 15 years.
iii. Determining the difference in motor coordination performance of male and female players based on age group.
3. Research Methodology
The design of this study is a cross-sectional study. A cross-sectional study is defined as a study that is conducted at the same time but with different subjects based on their age, with each subject being tested only once. (Malina et al., 2004; Sidek, 2007).
The population of this study is made up of badminton players selected from each state in Malaysia to follow the talent identification program for the screening process for admission to the Malaysian Badminton Academy. A total of 102 male and female players aged 13 to 15 were selected to participate in this selection session and undergo a study. The selected players are
the best players from every state in Malaysia. The researcher has received permission from the Badminton Association of Malaysia and permission to conduct research from the UPM ethics committee UPM/TNCPI/RMC/1.4.18.2(JKEUPM).
Researchers classified the age limit category based on the age requirement determined by the Malaysian Badminton Association, which is under 15 years old. The under-15 age category is also used in the national level competition system, such as the Malaysian school sports council championship. The total number of male players involved is (n=53) and females (n=49). The total number of 13-year-old players is 51, namely boys (n-29) and girls (n=22). Next, there are 19 players who are 14 years old, namely boys (n=7) and girls (n=12). The age category of 15 years is a total of 32 people consisting of boys (n=17) and girls (n=15).
There are 6 motor coordination performance test batteries, namely "KTK balance beam (BB)",
"KTK jumping sideways" (JS), "KTK shifting platform" (SP), "eye-hand coordination" (EHC),
"shuttlecock throw (SS) and "plate tapping (PT). A test to predict peak height is used by mixing the readings of the father's and mother's heights. This method is proposed by (Khamis and Roche) which is "prediction stature height". By obtaining height prediction information, researchers will identify the player's maturity level based on peak height.
KTK 'jumping sideways' (JS) - This test aims to measure overall body control and motor coordination. The subject must stand on the dominant side of the exercise mat. Stand straight with your arms at your sides and feet shoulder-width apart or according to the subject's comfort.
The subject had to jump from the dominant to the non-dominant side using both legs with fast and repetitive movements. The jump will not be counted if the subject hits a wooden block (height 2 cm) in the middle of the mat or out of the sideway. In addition, the subject must also land with both feet, and if he lands with one foot, the jump will not be counted either. Each successful jump will count as 1 point within 15 seconds. Subjects will be given 2 trials.
KTK 'eye-hand coordination' (EHC) - This test involves throwing a tennis ball against a wall and catching it. The subject is required to stand and face the wall; the distance between the subject and the wall is 2 meters. Points are counted if the throw is caught correctly, but points are not counted if the throw is caught with the same hand or the ball goes out of the box. The experimenter will count the bounce throws the subject successfully catches within 30 seconds.
KTK 'shifting platform' (SP) - This test aims to measure gross motor coordination. Subjects need to take off their shoes before performing the test and hold a platform board with both hands at the height of the pelvis. When the experimenter gives the start signal, the subject places the platform board in his hand next to the board on which he is standing and then steps onto the platform board. The subject had to move across the floor (in a straight line) within 20 seconds by stepping from one platform board measuring (25cm x 25 cm x 5.7 cm) to the next plate (moving sideways). The subject had to move the first platform board to the side, then step on it, and so on until the end of 20 seconds. The number of relocations (moving the platform board to the side) will be counted as one mark, and stepping on the platform board will be counted as one mark within 20 seconds and totaled in two attempts.
KTK 'balance beam' (BB) - the subject will perform the test by walking backward on a wooden bridge measuring 3 m long with different widths (3 cm, 4.5 cm, and 6 cm). The subject has to perform 3 times the backward walking balance test on each wooden bridge (the maximum number of steps for each bridge is 8). The subject will be stopped when reaching the eighth step, which is the maximum score.
Plate tapping (badminton-specific test) - The subject will stand in front of a table whose height can be adjusted according to the subject's suitability. The two yellow discs are placed with their centers 60 cm on the table. The subject moves the hand of choice back and forth between the disks above the hand in the middle as quickly as possible. This action is repeated for 25 full cycles (50 repetitions). The time taken to complete 25 cycles was recorded. Do the test twice, and the best result is recorded.
Shuttlecock Throw (badminton-specific test) - The subject is given a shuttlecock and is required to be in a state of readiness like the action of hitting in badminton skills. The subject is required to throw badminton forward as far as possible. Measurements in meter units will be measured to measure the throwing distance of the subject.
Table 1: Descriptive Analysis and Inferential Analysis Male (N=53)
Age
13 (n=29)
14 (n=7)
15 (n=17)
MIN SD MIN SD MIN SD
Height 160.2 7.1 167.8 3.7 173.7 6.9
Maturity status 2.84 0.4 3.86 0.4 4.0 0.0
BB (L ) 47.0 17.0 59.0 6.0 58.0 10.0
EHC (U) 51.0 10.6 63.0 9.0 66.0 12.1
JS (U) 80.0 17.0 99.0 9.0 104.0 9.5
SP (U) 60.0 9.0 32.0 5.0 34.0 3.0
ST (M) 40.0 3.1 40.7 2.9 42.0 3.7
PT (S) 11.3 1.2 11.0 0.6 11.0 1.3
Female (N=49) (n=22) (n=12) (n=15)
Height 152.5 16.5 160.4 5.26 163.8 10.2
Maturity status 2.95 0.5 3.92 0.3 4.0 0.0
BB (L ) 47.0 13.5 50.0 12.0 51.0 12.5
EHC (U) 51.0 11.4 60.0 9.6 58.0 12.0
JS (U) 77.0 11.3 93.0 11.0 89.0 26.0
SP (U) 59.0 8.1 30.0 3.7 29.0 3.1
ST (M) 35.0 2.4 37.1 3.1 35.5 3.2
PT (S) 11.5 2.9 10.6 1.4 11.0 1.45
Note : BB – balance beam (steps); EHC–Eye hand coordination (reps); JS – Jumping sideways (reps); SP-Shifting platform (reps); ST-Shutlecock throw (metre); PT-Plate tapping (sec)
4. Findings
Table 1 shows the level of maturity and motor coordination performance of players based on age group and gender. Overall, the maturity level of male and female players increases as they age. However, the motor coordination performance of male and female players showed a mean decrease in the KTK 'shifting platform' test, while other tests showed an increase along with their age. Overall, the level of maturity for both male and female players shows an increase that goes hand in hand with their increasing age.
Figure 1: Mean level of maturity with age (years)
Overall, the level of maturity of selected youth badminton players in Malaysia is directly proportional to their increasing age. At the ages of 13 and 14, female players are ahead of male players, who are 0.09 and 0.06. At the age of 15, it is seen that the maturity level of male and female players reaches the maximum level, which is 4.0. The results of the study show that selected badminton players in Malaysia have a maturity level based on good height along with their increasing age. This may be due to the selection of badminton players at the state level, taking into account the player's height in addition to other factors.
Figure 2: Mean KTK balance beam test with age (years)
Figure 2 shows the mean of the KTK 'balance beam' test with age. For male players, the highest balance beam test results were achieved by the 14-year-old age group, which was 59 repetitions, while the 15-year-old age group showed a decline in performance, which was 58 repetitions. The performance of female players is seen to increase proportionally with age. The best mean score was achieved in the 15-year-old age group, which was 51 repetitions, while
other age groups reached 47 repetitions for the 13-year-old age group and 50 repetitions for the 14-year-old age group.
Figure 3: Mean KTK eye-hand coordination test with age (years)
Figure 3 shows the results of the KTK 'eye-hand coordination' test of male and female players based on age group. If you examine the test results, the male players have a proportionally higher test result with increasing age. The peak increase occurred for the 14-year-old age group, which was an increase of 12 repetitions compared to the 13-year-old age group. Performance improvement continues for the 15-year-old age group by reaching 66 repetitions. Female players saw a positive increase between the age group of 13 years and 14 years which is an increase of 9 repetitions. The 15-year-old female age group saw a decline in performance which was 58 repetitions, compared to the 14-year-old age group, which had a mean score of 60 repetitions.
Figure 4: Mean KTK jumping sideways test with age (years)
Figure 4 shows the results of the KTK 'jumping sideways' motor coordination performance test of male and female players according to age group. The test results show that male players have a directly proportional mean test score and increase with increasing age. The peak performance of the test is seen to occur in the 15-year-old age group with 104 repetitions,
followed by the 14-year-old age group with an achievement difference of 5 repetitions, and the players who are 13 years old with 80 repetitions. Female players saw a decrease in test scores in the 15-year-old age group, which was a decrease of 4 repetitions compared to the 14-year- old age group. The 13-year-old age group players had a result of 77 repetitions.
Figure 5: Mean KTK shifting platform test with age (years)
Figure 5 shows the results of the KTK 'shifting platform' test of male and female players according to age group. The results of the test showed that the performance of male and female players decreased along with the increase in age, which is between the age group of 13 and 14 years. For men, performance declined by 28 repetitions and for female players by 29 repetitions. There was a slight increase of 2 repetitions of male players at the age of 14 and 15 years, while the performance of female players decreased by 1 repetition.
Figure 6: Mean shuttlecock throw test with age (years)
Figure 6 shows the results of the badminton 'shuttlecock throw' specific test for male and female players according to age group. The results of the test showed that male players had a performance that was directly proportional to the increase in age. The peak of performance occurs at the age of 15 years, which is 1.3 meters, but female players are seen to only reach the peak of performance in the age group of 13 and 14 years, which is 2.1 meters. The test performance of female players decreased by 1.6 meters for the 14 and 15-year age groups.
Figure 7: Plate tapping test with age (years)
Figure 7 shows the results of the 'plate tapping' test of male and female players according to age group. The test results of male players show an increase at the age of 13 and 14 years which is as much as 0.5 seconds, while at the age of 14 and 15 years, there is no improvement in performance. Female players saw a jump in performance at the age of 13 and 14 years which was 0.7 seconds, while the age group of 14 and 15 years decreased by 0.4 seconds.
Table 2: MANOVA analysis of motor coordination performance between age groups
Jantina / ujian Lelaki Perempuan
BB 4.0* 0.67
EHC 12.6** 3.5*
JS 16.63** 4.53*
SP 95.6** 144.37**
ST 2.04 2.57
PT 2.11 0.61
Multivariat F 13.20** 17.56**
* p < 0.05 ** p < 0.01 Note : BB – balance beam (steps); EHC–Eye-hand coordination (reps); JS – Jumping sideways (reps); SP-Shifting platform (reps); ST-Shutlecock throw (metre); PT-Plate tapping (sec)
The researcher conducted a MANOVA analysis to explain the differences in detail. Table 2 shows the MANOVA analysis of motor coordination performance based on age group.
Multivariate F for male players showed significant differences in 4 motor coordination performance tests, namely the 'balance beam' test, 'eye-hand coordination', 'jumping sideways', and 'shifting platform'. Specific
tests in badminton, namely 'Shuttlecock throw' and plate tapping', did not show significant differences between men and women based on age group. While for female players, there are 3 tests showing significant differences, namely 'eye-hand coordination', 'jumping sideways', and 'shifting platform'.
Table 3: Comparison of various age groups of motor coordination performance
Kumpulan umur 13 & 14 13 & 15
Lelaki
EHC (U) 12.70* 15.88*
JS (U) 18.44* 23.84*
SP (U) 27.77* 25.95*
Perempuan
JS (U) 16.44*
SP (U) 29.25* 29.17*
* p < 0.05 ** p < 0.01 Note : BB – balance beam (steps); EHC–Eye-hand coordination (reps); JS – Jumping sideways (reps); SP-Shifting platform (reps); ST-Shutlecock throw (metre); PT-Plate tapping (sec)
Table 3 describes the comparison of various age groups in the motor coordination performance test. For male players aged 13 and 14, there are 3 tests that show significant differences, namely 'eye-hand coordination', 'jumping sideways', and 'shifting platform'. There were also significant differences between 13 and 15-year-old players against the same 3 tests. However, a significant difference is seen between players aged 13 and 14 years; there are 2 tests, namely 'jumping sideways' and 'shifting platform', while female players aged 13 and 15 years have a significant difference in the 'shifting platform' test.
Overall, changes in the level of maturity and motor coordination performance of badminton players are seen to occur significantly along with the increase in the player's chronological age.
The maturity level of players is seen to increase greatly, especially when players are between the ages of 14 and 15. The maturity level of female players is seen to be ahead of male players at the age of 13 and 14 years. For the motor coordination performance test, the KTK 'shifting platform' test shows a decline in performance with increasing age for male and female players.
Researchers conducted a MANOVA analysis and showed significant differences in 4 motor coordination performance tests, namely the 'balance beam' test, 'eye-hand coordination', 'jumping sideways', and 'shifting platform'. Specific tests in badminton sports 'Shuttlecock throw' and plate tapping' did not show significant differences for men and women based on age group. Researchers also carried out a comparison of various age groups, and it showed that there are 3 tests, namely 'eye-hand coordination', 'jumping sideways' and 'shifting platform', which have significant differences between players in the age group of 13 and 14 years and also players of 13 and 15 years. For female players, there are 3 tests showing significant differences, namely 'eye-hand coordination', 'jumping sideways' and 'shifting platform'. 13 and 14-year-old female players showed a significant difference in 2 tests, namely 'jumping sideways' and 'shifting platform' while 13 and 15-year-old players had a significant difference in 1 test which was 'shifting platform.'
5. Discussion
Through the descriptive analysis conducted, the maturity level of male and female players does not differ significantly based on the mean score. However, the maturity level of players based on age group shows a significant difference as their age increases. In the growth phase of children and adolescents, the effect of physical performance is influenced by various factors, namely training, maturity, and growth (Malina et al. l., 2004). It clearly shows that people who undergo intensive training, especially those who undergo a systematic training program, indirectly affect their growth and maturity level. The level of maturity is seen as important, especially when a teacher or coach runs a training program involving children and teenagers (MIRWALD et al., 2002).
Overall, the peak motor coordination performance of badminton players is seen to increase as their age increases. The table and the graph clearly show that performance increases, but the 'shifting platform' (SP) test shows a decrease in performance when there is an increase in age.
The influence of maturity level impacts some physical performance tests and motor coordination. This is proven by a study conducted by (Rommers et al., 2019) on elite youth players. According to Bardid et al. (2015), motor efficiency in childhood is an important factor in determining physical fitness characteristics in the future. The conclusion is that a high level of coordination ability should play a very important role in achieving the best level of performance (Jaworski & Lech, 2021).
6. Conclusion
Based on this study, the researcher would like to suggest suggestions to improve motor coordination performance and the process of selecting players for the national youth squad.
There is a significant difference in the maturity level of men and women based on the age group of the players. Therefore, the researcher suggests that the selection process of players at the state or school level needs to take into account the factors of maturity level or growth potential used by the researcher in this study. Researchers suggest that the selection process takes into account motor coordination ability factors among badminton players. The tests conducted by the researchers help in identifying the ability of the players to maintain body posture and balance during the test. Researchers also suggested that BAM provides player profile data from teenagers to senior players. This profile data is very important because, through this data, the coaches can monitor the development of the player's performance over time. This player profile needs to be established in every state training center throughout Malaysia through the monitoring of the BAM development committee. A special high-performance talent search committee should be tasked with coordinating player profile data input requirements. A database system needs to be created by BAM so that all information on badminton players under the BAM affiliation can be monitored, and it facilitates the process of searching for players.
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