Author(s): LOPEZ-SAMANES, A., ABIÁN-VICÉN, J., BRAVO-FERNÁNDEZ, A., PEREZ-LÓPEZ, A., FERNÁNDEZ, M., MARTÍN-LÓPEZ, J., SCANLAN, A., ABIÁN-VICÉN, P., Institution: UNIVERSIDAD PONTIFICIA COMILLAS, Country: SPAIN, Abstract-ID: 1799

INTRODUCTION:
Badminton performance depends on neuromuscular qualities (e.g., vertical jump capacity) and cognitive factors (e.g., rapid visual–cognitive processing). However, these parameters may be influenced by time-of-day, chronotype or genetic factors (e.g. PER3 genotype). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of time-of-day on neuromuscular and cognitive performance and to explore whether chronotype and PER3 genotype modulate these responses.
METHODS:
Twenty-eight competitive badminton players (19 males, 9 females) completed a randomized crossover protocol, performing a neuromuscular and cognitive test battery in the morning (08:00–09:00 h) and afternoon (17:00–18:00 h). The neuromuscular test battery included vertical jump performance (squat jump, countermovement jump, and smash jump with and without shuttlecock), change-of-direction ability (badminton footwork test), isometric handgrip strength, while cognitive battery included visual–cognitive reaction time and cognitive inhibition (via Stroop Test). Chronotype was assessed using the Horne–Östberg questionnaire, and the PER3 VNTR polymorphism was determined from saliva samples
RESULTS:
Compared with morning testing, several neuromuscular and cognitive variables demonstrated improved performance in the afternoon. Specifically, countermovement jump height (38.49 ± 8.04 vs. 37.35 ± 7.42 cm; p = 0.016; ES = 0.49) and smash jump without a shuttlecock (38.51 ± 11.28 vs. 37.47 ± 10.57 cm; p= 0.040; ES = 0.40) were significantly higher in the afternoon. Regarding cognitive performance visual– cognitive reaction time was also faster in the afternoon (0.365 ± 0.26 vs. 0.374 ± 0.29 ms; p = 0.029; ES = –0.43). In contrast, no time-of-day effects were observed for squat jump, smash jump with shuttlecock, the badminton footwork test or isometric handgrip strength or cognitive inhibition (p > 0.05; ES = 0.30–0.33). Additionally, neither chronotype nor PER3 genotype showed significant associations with any performance variable (p = 0.125–0.879).
CONCLUSION:
Badminton athletes exhibited improved performance in selected neuromuscular tasks (countermovement jump and smash jump without shuttlecock) and faster cognitive reaction time during afternoon testing, while chronotype and PER3 genotype did not influence neuromuscular or cognitive outcomes