Fatigue increases ankle sprain risk in badminton players: A biomechanical study

Mechanisms of lateral ankle ligament sprains in professional netball: A systematic video analysis

OBJECTIVES

To undertake a systematic analysis of 17 medical attention and time-loss lateral ankle ligament sprain (LALS) events from televised Australian professional netball games during the 2020-2023 seasons.

DESIGN

Case series.

METHODS

Three analysts independently assessed the video footage and then convened to review and discuss each case until a consensus was reached.

RESULTS

When in possession (7 cases) a player was commonly performing an agility-based manoeuvre to break free from an opponent and reposition themselves to be a passing option (5/7 cases). When out of possession (10 cases) a player was either attempting to intercept a pass (6 cases) or marking an opponent (4 cases). Players tended to land on the anterior one-third of the plantar surface of the foot - forefoot or shoe tip (7 cases). Players often landed on either the ground (7 cases) or the opponent's shoe then the ground (8 cases). In 9 cases the ankle-foot was considered to be in a neutral alignment in the frontal plane at landing. At the estimated index frame the players' weight tended to be all on the foot on the injured side (11 cases) or favouring the foot on the injured side (5 cases). Inversion and adduction was a common injury mechanism. Plantar-flexion was rarely involved.

CONCLUSION

Landing on the anterior one-third of the plantar surface of the foot and subsequent weight transference onto the injured limb side was more important than ankle-foot inversion at initial ground contact. Exercises involving external perturbations that challenge the control of frontal and transverse plane ankle-foot motion and improve proprioception, neuromuscular control, and dynamic balance are warranted.

Lateral Shuffle-Induced Fatigue Effects on Ankle Proprioception and Countermovement Jump Performance

To determine how lateral shuffling/lateral shuffle (LS) -induced fatigue affects ankle proprioception and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Eighteen male college athletes performed 6 modes of a repeated LS protocol with 2 distances (2.5 and 5 m) and 3 speeds (1.6, 1.8, and 2.0 m/s). After LS, ankle inversion proprioception (AIP) was measured using the active movement extent discrimination apparatus (AMEDA). CMJ, blood lactate (BLa), heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after LS. The number of changes of direction (CODs) in each protocol was recorded. LS-induced fatigue was evident in BLa, HR and RPE (all p < 0.05), increasing with shorter shuffle distance and faster speed. RM-ANOVA showed a significant distance main effect on both AIP (p < 0.01) and CMJ (p < 0.05), but the speed main effect was only significant for CMJ (p ≤ 0.001), not AIP (p = 0.87). CMJ performance was correlated with BLa, HR and RPE (r values range from -0.62 to -0.32, all p ≤ 0.001). AIP was only correlated with CODs (r = -0.251, p < 0.01). These results suggested that in LS, shorter distance, regardless of speed, was associated with worse AIP, whereas subsequent CMJ performance was affected by both LS distance and speed. Hence, AIP performance was not related to physiological fatigue, but CMJ performance was. Results imply that LS affects processing proprioceptive input and producing muscular output differently, and that these two aspects of neuromuscular control are affected by physiological fatigue to varying degrees. These findings have implications for injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Impact of specialized fatigue and backhand smash on the ankle biomechanics of female badminton players

During fatigued conditions, badminton players may experience adverse effects on their ankle joints during smash landings. In addition, the risk of ankle injury may vary with different landing strategies. This study aimed to investigate the influence of sport-specific fatigue factors and two backhand smash actions on ankle biomechanical indices. Thirteen female badminton players (age: 21.2 ± 1.9 years; height: 167.1 ± 4.1 cm; weight: 57.3 ± 5.1 kg; BMI: 20.54 ± 1.57 kg/m2) participated in this study. An 8-camera Vicon motion capture system and three Kistler force platforms were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data before and after fatigue for backhand rear-court jump smash (BRJS) and backhand lateral jump smash (BLJS). A 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to analyze the effects of these smash landing actions and fatigue factors on ankle biomechanical parameters. Fatigue significantly affected the ankle-joint plantarflexion and inversion angles at the initial contact (IC) phase (p < 0.05), with both angles increasing substantially post-fatigue. From a kinetic perspective, fatigue considerably influenced the peak plantarflexion and peak inversion moments at the ankle joint, which resulted in a decrease the former and an increase in the latter after fatigue. The two smash landing actions demonstrated different landing strategies, and significant main effects were observed on the ankle plantarflexion angle, inversion angle, peak dorsiflexion/plantarflexion moment, peak inversion/eversion moment, and peak internal rotation moment (p < 0.05). The BLJS landing had a much greater landing inversion angle, peak inversion moment, and peak internal rotation moment compared with BRJS landing. The interaction effects of fatigue and smash actions significantly affected the muscle force of the peroneus longus (PL), with a more pronounced decrease in the force of the PL muscle post-fatigue in the BLJS action(post-hoc < 0.05). This study demonstrated that fatigue and smash actions, specifically BRJS and BLJS, significantly affect ankle biomechanical parameters. After fatigue, both actions showed a notable increase in IC plantarflexion and inversion angles and peak inversion moments, which may elevate the risk of lateral ankle sprains. Compared with BRJS, BLJS poses a higher risk of lateral ankle sprains after fatigue.

Effect of double rocking jump rope training on lower limb muscle strength of badminton players

BACKGROUND

Double rocking jump rope training can effectively enhance physical recovery, adaptability to exercise load, and lower limb muscle strength of badminton players in sports colleges, thus offering valuable insights for improving training methods in sports colleges and universities.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of double rocking jump rope training on the lower limb muscle strength of badminton players specializing in badminton in sports colleges.

METHODS

An experimental study was conducted through a ten-week teaching intervention experiment with badminton players. Relevant heart rate indexes and badminton related lower limb muscle strength indexes were measured before and after the experiment. The data of the measured relevant indexes were statistically and analytically analyzed. At the end of the experiment, the physical recovery level and the heart's adaptability to the exercise load of the control group were improved, and the lower limb muscle strength test indexes and sports performance were better than before the experiment. In the experimental group, badminton players' physical function, anaerobic metabolism of the body and other aspects also improved.

RESULTS

The physical function of the experimental group of badminton players, the energy supply capacity of the body anaerobic metabolism and aerobic work capacity all have an enhancement effect, enabling badminton players to adapt to large exercise loads quickly and improve the recovery rate of physical fitness.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of double rocking jump rope into badminton training classes in sports colleges and universities as a means of lower limb muscle strength training is conducive to improving the level of lower limb muscle strength of special badminton players, enriching the teaching and training means of lower limb muscle strength in sports colleges and universities, and broadening the research field of lower limb muscle strength in badminton in sports colleges and universities.

Fatigue Affects Body Acceleration During Vertical Jumping and Agility Tasks in Elite Young Badminton Players

BACKGROUND

Badminton is a sport demanding both high aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels, and fatigue can significantly impact game performance. However, relevant studies are limited, and none have employed a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) to investigate the effects of fatigue on athletic performance in the field.

HYPOTHESIS

Overall performance and body acceleration in both time and frequency domains during the fundamental badminton skills of vertical jumping and changes of direction will be affected by fatigue.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

METHODS

A total of 38 young badminton players competing at the Division I level participated. Body accelerations while performing vertical jump and agility-T tests before and immediately after undergoing a fatigue protocol were measured by an IMU, positioned at the L4 to L5 level.

RESULTS

Jumping height decreased significantly by 4 cm (P < 0.01) after fatigue with greater downward acceleration (1.03 m/s2, P < 0.05) during the squatting subphase. Finishing time increased significantly by 50 ms only during the 10-m side-shuffling of the agility-T test (P = 0.02) after fatigue with greater peak and mean accelerations (3.83 m/s2, P = 0.04; 0.43 m/s2, P < 0.01), and higher median and mean frequency (0.38 Hz, P = 0.04, 0.11 Hz, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study using a wearable IMU demonstrates the effects of fatigue on body acceleration in badminton players. The frequency-domain analysis further indicated that fatigue might lead to loss of voluntary control of active muscles and increased impacts on the passive elastic elements.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The findings imply that fatigue can lead to diminished athletic performance and highlight the potential for an increased risk of sports injuries. Consequently, maintaining precision in monitoring fatigue is crucial for elite young badminton players.

Integrated Rehabilitation Approach Utilizing Swiss Ball Training, Mulligan Taping, and Mobilization With Movement for Simultaneous Management of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and Lateral Ankle Sprain in a Badminton Athlete: A Case Study

This case report details an integrated rehabilitation plan implemented for a professional badminton player who presented with issues of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction and a lateral ankle sprain. The integrated approach aimed to address both musculoskeletal issues, considering their potential reciprocal influences on biomechanics and functional performance. The athlete underwent a thorough initial assessment, including clinical examination, imaging, and biomechanical analysis. Treatment began with targeted interventions for acute ankle sprain management, such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) followed by progressive exercises to restore ankle stability and range of motion (ROM). Concurrently, a specialized program was devised to address the underlying sacroiliac joint dysfunction through manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and core stabilization routines. Throughout the rehabilitation process, the focus remained on integrated exercises that targeted both the ankle and sacroiliac joint, promoting optimal neuromuscular coordination and joint function specific to badminton demands. Regular reassessments guided the progression of interventions, ensuring a personalized and athlete-centric approach. The positive outcome highlights the importance of a holistic rehabilitation strategy in managing complex musculoskeletal conditions in athletes, facilitating efficient recovery, and reducing the risk of recurrence. This case report highlights the effectiveness of an integrated approach in enhancing performance and preventing reinjury in badminton athletes facing multifaceted musculoskeletal challenges.

The Characteristics of Badminton-Related Pain in Pre-Adolescent and Adolescent Badminton Players

Body pain, often considered as an early sign of injury in young players, warrants thorough study. This study aimed to examine the distribution of badminton-related pain and prevalence in pre-adolescent and adolescent badminton players. Profiles of badminton-related pain were surveyed using a questionnaire among 366 pre-adolescent and adolescent badminton players aged 7-12 years. The distribution of badminton-related pain was described, and the pain incidence was calculated. Proportions of pain per 1000-training-hour exposures were the main outcome measures. The analysis considered various age groups (7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 years) and years of badminton experience (≤2, 2-3, and > 3 years). In total, 554 cases of badminton-related pain were reported. The ankle was the most common site, followed by knee, plantar, shoulder, and lower back. The overall pain rate per 1000-training-hour exposure was 3.06. The 11-12-year-old group showed the highest pain rate, significantly greater than the 7-8-year-old group and the 9-10-year-old group. Additionally, the prevalence of pain exhibited an increasing trend with age. Finally, regardless of the age groups, participants with 2-3 years of badminton experience had the highest pain rate. These findings might help inform targeted interventions to reduce the high prevalence of pain in various body regions across pre-adolescent and adolescent badminton players.

The comparison of the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and Kinesio Taping on ankle swelling in athletes with lateral ankle sprain

PURPOSE

Ankle swelling (AS) is one of the main complaints in athletes with a lateral ankle sprain (LAS) in the acute phase. Reducing AS may help the athlete to return to training faster. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Kinesio Taping® (KT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in reducing AS in athletes with a LAS.

METHODS

Thirty-one athletes with a unilateral ankle sprain from various sports were allocated to either KT (N = 16; mean age of 24.1 years) or NMES (N = 15; mean age of 26.4 years) groups. KT was applied over the medial and lateral ankle surfaces in the Fan cut pattern for five consecutive days; however, NMES was applied to the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles for 30 min. Outcome measures to assess the extent of AS included volumetry, perimetry, relative volumetry, and the difference in both ankles' volumetry and perimetry at baseline, after the interventions, and 15 days following the treatment completion.

RESULTS

The results of the mixed model repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups in mean changes in outcomes over pre- and post-interventions as well as follow-up periods (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

None of the KT and NMES methods could reduce acute AS in athletes with LAS. Further studies are needed in this area of research that consider changes in treatment protocol given the variety of NMES approaches and KT applications that can be used in recovery from an ankle sprain.

Dose-response effect of incremental lateral-wedge hardness on the lower limb Biomechanics during typical badminton footwork

Badminton footwork has been characterised with jump-landing, cross step, side side and lunges, which requires movement agility to facilitate on-court performance. A novel badminton shoe design with systematic increase of lateral wedge hardness (Asker C value of 55, 60, 65, and 70) was developed and investigated in this study, aiming to analyse the dose-response effect of incremental wedge hardness on typical badminton footwork. Stance time and joint stiffness were employed to investigate the footwork performance, and the factorial Statistical non-Parametric Mapping and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to quantify the biomechanical responses over the stance. As reported, shorter contact times (decreased by 8.9%-13.5%) and increased joint stiffness (in side step) of foot-ankle complex were found, suggesting improved footwork stability and agility from increased hardness. Time-varying differences were noted during the initial landing and driving-off phase of cross and side steps and drive-off returning of lunges, suggesting facilitated footwork performance. The reconstructed modes of variations from PCA further deciphered the biomechanical response to the wedge dosage, especially during drive-off, to understand the improved footwork agility and stability.

The effects of ankle dorsiflexor fatigue on lower limb biomechanics during badminton forward forehand and backhand lunge

Background: Local muscle fatigue may have an adverse effect on the biomechanics of the lunge movement and athletic performance. This study analyzed the biomechanical indicators of the forward lunge in badminton players before and after fatigue of the ankle dorsiflexors. Methods: Using the isometric muscular strength testing system, 15 badminton players underwent an ankle dorsiflexor fatigue test. Before and after the fatigue experiment, five lunges were done in both the forehand forward (FH) and backhand forward (BH) directions, five in each direction. A Vicon motion capture system and an AMTI force measuring station were used to record lower limb kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF). Pre-fatigue and post-fatigue variability were determined using paired-samples t-tests, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Statistical Non-parametric Mapping (SNPM). Result: The results showed that after fatigue, the peak angle of ankle dorsiflexion was significantly reduced (p = 0.034), the range of motion (ROM) of the ankle sagittal plane (p = 0.000) and peak angle of ankle plantarflexion (p = 0.001) was significantly increased after forehand landing. After fatigue, ankle inversion was significantly increased after forehand and backhand landings (FH: p = 0.033; BH: p = 0.015). After fatigue, peak knee flexion angles increased significantly (FH: Max: p = 0.000, Min: p = 0.000; BH: Max: p = 0.017, Min: p = 0.037) during forehand and backhand landings and ROM in knee flexion and extension increased (p = 0.009) during forehand landings. Knee inversion range of motion was significantly increased after fatigue (p = 0.024) during forehand landings. Peak hip flexion angle (p = 0.000) and range of motion (p = 0.000) were significantly reduced in forehand landings after fatigue. The mean loading rate (p = 0.005) and the maximum loading rate (p = 0.001) increased significantly during backhand landings after fatigue. Post-fatigue, the center of pressure (COP) frontal offset increased significantly (FH: p = 0.000; BH: p = 0.000) in the forehand and backhand landings. Conclusion: These results indicate that when the ankle dorsiflexors are fatigued, the performance of the forehand is significantly negatively affected, and the impact force of the backhand is greater.

A lateral ankle sprain during a lateral backward step in badminton: A case report of a televised injury incident

BACKGROUND

This study presents a kinematic analysis of an acute lateral ankle sprain incurred during a televised badminton match. The kinematics of this injury were compared to those of 19 previously reported cases in the published literature.

METHODS

Four camera views of an acute lateral ankle sprain incurred during a televised badminton match were synchronized and rendered in 3-dimensional animation software. A badminton court with known dimensions was built in a virtual environment, and a skeletal model scaled to the injured athlete's height was used for skeletal matching. The ankle joint angle and angular velocity profiles of this acute injury were compared to the summarized findings from 19 previously reported cases in the published literature.

RESULTS

At foot strike, the ankle joint was 2° everted, 33° plantarflexed, and 18° internally rotated. Maximum inversion of 114° and internal rotation of 69° was achieved at 0.24 s and 0.20 s after foot strike, respectively. After the foot strike, the ankle joint moved from an initial position of plantarflexion to dorsiflexion-from 33° plantarflexion to 53° dorsiflexion (range = 86°). Maximum inversion, dorsiflexion, and internal rotation angular velocity were 1262°/s, 961°/s, and 677°/s, respectively, at 0.12 s after foot strike.

CONCLUSION

A forefoot landing posture with a plantarflexed and internally rotated ankle joint configuration could incite an acute lateral ankle sprain injury in badminton. Prevention of lateral ankle sprains in badminton should focus on the control and stability of the ankle joint angle during forefoot landings, especially when the athletes perform a combined lateral and backward step.

Influence of invertor and evertor muscle fatigue on functional jump tests and postural control: A prospective cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Fatigue of the ankle's stabilizing muscles may influence the performance of functional activities and postural control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of healthy young adults using functional jump tests and static posturography control under pre- and post-fatigue conditions of the ankle invertor and evertor muscles.

METHODS

Thirty physically active healthy male and female (15 male and 15 female) volunteers (24.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. Participants performed tests on one day under a non-fatigued state of invertor and evertor muscles and on the second day in a fatigued state. Tests included static posturography on a force platform in a bipedal stance with eyes open and closed and in one-legged support with eyes open and functional jump tests (figure-of-8, side hop, 6-m crossover hop, and square hop). Fatigue of the ankle invertor and evertor muscles was induced using isokinetic dynamometry with 30 repetitions at 120°/s.

RESULTS

Participants had an average age of 24.3 years (SD ± 2.08), the height of 1.73 m (SD ± 0.08), and a weight of 68.63 kg (SD ± 10.29). The average Body Mass Index (BMI) was 22.88 (SD ± 2.46). A decrease in performance was observed in functional activities and postural control under all conditions after the induction of muscle fatigue, except for the speed at a bipedal stance with eyes open.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional jump tests are low cost and useful for clinical practice and evaluation of the effects of muscle fatigue and could be used in clinical practice.