Effects of an 8-Week Core-Strength Program on Smash Accuracy in Female Badminton Athletes

To investigate the effects of an 8-week core-strength training program on smash accuracy in female badminton athletes. Forty female badminton players were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Both groups continued regular badminton training, while the EG additionally completed an 8-week structured core-strength program. Smash accuracy was assessed under three conditions—stationary, jumping, and moving smashes—at baseline, mid-intervention (posttest 1), and post-intervention (posttest 2). Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine group effects, time effects, and group × time interactions, with age, training experience, height, and body mass included as covariates. GEE analysis revealed significant group, time, and group × time interaction effects for in-situ, jumping, and moving smash accuracy (p < 0.05). Post hoc analyses showed that the EG demonstrated significant improvements in smash accuracy from baseline to posttest 2 across all three smash conditions, whereas improvements in the CG were limited or non-significant. Effect size analysis further indicated that the magnitude of improvement in smash accuracy was substantially greater in the EG than in the CG. None of the covariates showed a significant influence on smash accuracy outcomes. An 8-week core-strength training program significantly enhances in-situ, jumping, and moving smash accuracy in female badminton athletes. These findings highlight the importance of core stability and strength in optimizing technical performance and suggest that systematic core training should be incorporated into routine badminton training programs to improve smash accuracy and overall competitive performance.