2015 Badminton World Championship: Singles final men’s vs women’s behaviours

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to identify players’ behaviours and to assess differences between genders at final singles matches of 2015 Badminton World Championship, focusing on time events, shots and court movements. Final men’s (MS) and women’s (WS) singles matches of 2015 Yakarta World Championship were analysed (150 points and 967 actions). Official videos from Badminton World Federation were used to carry out the post-event analysis. Variables analyzed were: ‘timing factors’, type of ‘shots’ and players’ trajectories executed during the match. Descriptive (mean and % of distribution) and comparative analysis between gender and result of events (successful vs. unsuccessful) were carried out. Generally speaking, time-related variables show higher figures in the men’s final than in the women’s. Smash, net and lob shots occur more frequently in the men’s final, whereas clear, drop and drive shots are used more often in the women’s final. The hitting of the shuttlecock without any previous movement redominates over the rest or movements for both genders. In the training field, these findings may be used by coaches in order to improve athletes’ performance. In research field, it could be a new way to obtain information that had not been previously taken into account.