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)