# Temporal structure of the junior badminton championship across all five events

## TL;DR

This study examines the structure of junior badminton matches across five events to inform training programs for young athletes.

## Contribution

The study provides event-specific temporal profiles for junior badminton matches, previously understudied.

## Key findings

- Singles matches have longer durations and rallies compared to doubles matches.
- Doubles matches feature higher shot frequency and shorter rallies.
- Junior matches show event-specific profiles similar to elite-level competitions.

## Abstract

Understanding match demands in junior badminton is essential for designing training programs that support long-term athlete development. While previous research has focused on elite adult players, limited information is available on event-specific characteristics at the junior level.

This study analyzed the temporal structure of matches from the 28th Pan-American Junior Badminton Championships, including men's single (MS), women's single (WS), men's double (MD), women's double (WD), and mixed double (XD) using observational data. A total of 124 matches were analyzed using video-based notational analysis. Key variables included match duration, real time played, % of real time played, rally time, rest time per rally, total points played, shots per rally, shot frequency, and work density.

The results showed that temporal structure is different between events, except in rest time per rally. Singles junior matches (MS and WS) are characterized by longer durations and rallies, whereas doubles matches (MD, WD, XD) involve higher shot frequency, shorter rallies, and more concentrated activity. There are clear event-specific profiles already present in junior as they are in elite-level competitions.

These findings support the need for event-specific training in junior badminton and highlight the importance for coaches and federations to gradually develop the physical and technical abilities of their athletes to meet elite performance demands.