The aim of this study was to determine whether a 10-week Pilates training programme improves core stability and stroke accuracy in young badminton players. Twenty players aged 12 to 15 from the Mladost Lendava badminton club took part in the intervention study, which also measured baseline and endpoints. The participants took part in 20-minute Pilates sessions four times a week for 10 weeks before regular badminton training. Core stability was assessed using the McGill Battery (TFT, LMT right, LMT left, TET), and stroke accuracy was measured using the Forehand Smash Stroke Performance Test. The results showed statistically significant improvements in both core stability and stroke accuracy, with very large effect sizes, confirming practical relevance. However, the linear regression analysis did not confirm a statistically significant effect of the improvement in core stability on the improvement in stroke accuracy, suggesting that other factors also influence accuracy. The aim of this study was to contribute to a more effective formulation of complementary training programmes for young badminton players. The results confirm the benefits of Pilates as a safe, accessible and effective form of training to strengthen core stabilisers and improve stroke accuracy in young badminton players.
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