Shuttlers' physical regimen called into doubt

Shuttlers' physical regimen called into doubt

JAKARTA (JP): A sports science expert said on Tuesday the six-
week program for the country's top shuttlers to reach peak
physical condition before the Thomas and Uber cups next week was
too little, too late.

The expert, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it
would take six months of training and maintenance for players to
achieve optimum results.

"In the first six weeks, athletes will only see the effects of
their physical training but it has yet to be maximal. It's only
training for basic fitness which must be done in three months.
They need another three months to improve their condition," said
the source.

"In the two weeks prior to the championships, athletes must
reduce their training volume and only maintain their physical
condition.

"When we saw our shuttlers training program recently, it was
changed into three sessions per day with one session concentrated
on physical training. Let's see the drop they will experience in
the championships."

The expert was responding to the program of the Badminton
Association of Indonesia (PBSI) to enlist physical trainer Tahir
Djide a month before the Thomas and Uber cups, the sport's
premier men's and women's team competitions, in Kuala Lumpur from
May 11 to May 21.

Tahir said previously that the shuttlers still needed to
undergo physical training until this week before entering the
lowered activity period next week in Kuala Lumpur.

"Athletes need two weeks of tapering off prior to the
championships," the expert said.

In order to reduce the likelihood of fatigue, the source
suggested PBSI balance the poor physical conditioning with good
nutrition and improvements in the recovery process.

"Shuttlers need to consume a great deal of carbohydrates and
reduce fat and protein intake.

"They also have to relax after their matches with massage,
sauna and whirlpool. After the relaxation process they have to
take a full night's rest. In the morning they must jog for 30
minutes."

"That process will help to destroy lactic acid in the body
which causes fatigue."

Separately, PBSI training director Christian Hadinata said the
organization would seek clarification from the International
Badminton Federation (IBF) on the newly released rankings where
the Indonesian mixed doubles pairing of Agung Wahyu and Emma
Ermawati and women's doubles Emma and Vita Marissa failed to
qualify for the Olympics.

Agung and Emma are ranked 17 while Emma and Vita are 18. The
top 16 in each singles and doubles event automatically enter the
Olympic draws.

Only world number three Tri Kusherjanto and Minarti Timur and
number seven Bambang Suprianto and Zelin Resiana qualified in the
mixed doubles.

In the women's doubles Elysa Nathanael and Deyana Lomban (11)
and Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta (13) qualified.

Christian said PBSI only recognized the Japan Open as the last
major tournament before the deadline for the qualification on
April 30. He was surprised that some European players jumped into
the top 16 rankings.

The Thomas and Uber cup teams met President Abdurrahman Wahid
at Bina Graha presidential office before flying to Kuala Lumpur
on Sunday. (yan)