The Effect of Carbohydrate Gel (Energy Gel) Consumption Between the Second and Third Sets on the Reduction of Unforced Errors and Footwork Speed in the Third Set

Joan Akmal  Wahyudi; Enarnimas Dwi Ratna  Damayanti; Sani Bayu  Ashari; Kelvin Hani  Zulfan; Naila Khanina

The Effect of Carbohydrate Gel (Energy Gel) Consumption Between the Second and Third Sets on the Reduction of Unforced Errors and Footwork Speed in the Third Set

Authors

Joan Akmal Wahyudi Universitas Negeri Surabaya
Enarnimas Dwi Ratna Damayanti Universitas Negeri Surabaya https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0080-383X
Sani Bayu Ashari Universitas Negeri Surabaya https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5628-7239
Kelvin Hani Zulfan Universitas Negeri Surabaya
Naila Khanina Universitas Negeri Surabaya https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4592-3725

Keywords:

Badminton , Energy Gel, Carbohydrate Gel, Unforced Errors, Footwork, Fatigue

Abstract

The background of this study is based on the characteristics of badminton as a high-intensity intermittent sport that is highly dependent on anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. Matches that last until the rubber set often cause significant fatigue due to glycogen depletion, which results in decreased footwork speed and increased unforced errors due to decreased cognitive focus. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of carbohydrate gel consumption between the second and third sets on the performance of teenage badminton athletes in Surabaya. The method used was a randomized controlled crossover involving 30 athletes (aged 17.2 ± 1.8 years) with a washout period of seven days. Each athlete underwent a session with 25g of carbohydrate gel (CG) and a placebo (PL) administered during a two-minute rest before the third set. The results of the study, using a paired-samples t-test, showed that CG consumption significantly reduced the average number of unforced errors in the third set (CG: 4.8 ± 1.3 vs. PL: 7.1 ± 1.9; p < 0.001) and resulted faster footwork completion time (CG: 14.2 ± 0.9 seconds vs. PL: 15.5 ± 1.1 seconds; p < 0.001). It can be concluded that carbohydrate gel intervention effectively maintains athletes' physical and cognitive performance in the deciding set.

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Published

2026-09-19

How to Cite

Wahyudi, J. A., Damayanti , E. D. R., Ashari, S. B., Zulfan, K. H., & Khanina, N. (2026). The Effect of Carbohydrate Gel (Energy Gel) Consumption Between the Second and Third Sets on the Reduction of Unforced Errors and Footwork Speed in the Third Set. Journal of Racket Sports Performance & Science (JRSPS), 2(1), 37–42. Retrieved from https://journal.unesa.ac.id/index.php/jrsps/article/view/53077