Understanding the impact loading characteristics of a badminton lunge among badminton players

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in elite badminton athletes: 84% Return to sport, half return to performance

PURPOSE

Badminton requires fast and pivoting movements, putting athletes at risk of sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The primary purpose is to investigate the return to sport (RTS) and the return to performance (RTP) after an ACL injury in elite badminton athletes. The secondary purpose is to describe ACL injury mechanisms in elite badminton players.

METHODS

Athletes within the top 200 of the Badminton World Federation World Ranking who sustained an ACL injury between January 2001 and December 2021 were retrospectively included. An anonymous online survey was created in eight languages. RTS, RTP and contributing factors were analysed among athletes aiming to RTP. The injury mechanism was analysed in all participants.

RESULTS

Sixty-six athletes from 32 countries were included. Fifty-seven athletes (86.4%) aimed to RTP. Forty-eight out of 57 (84.2%) did RTS. Twenty-nine (50.9%) managed to successfully RTP. Forty-nine (74.2%) of ACL injuries occurred during a competition, 14 (21.2%) occured during training. Thirty-one (49.2%) occurred in the rear court backhand side and 47 (74.6%) occurred during landing after a jump.

CONCLUSION

Forty-eight out of 57 (84.2%) athletes managed to RTS. Half of the athletes managed to successfully RTP. Most of the ACL injuries occurred during competition, in the rear court backhand side and during landing after a jump.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Return to badminton play following an ACL injury is common, but only a few return to previous performance

PURPOSE

To report how many badminton players return to badminton after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and to which level.

METHODS

Patients in Denmark from 2000 to 2018, registered in the Danish National Patient Register with a diagnosis of ACL rupture and badminton as a primary sport were asked about a return to sport (RTS) and return to performance (RTP) after ACL injury. RTP was defined as the return to full participation in the same sport, same level and same preinjury performance. To investigate the likelihood of RTS and return to preinjury level, a binominal logistic regression was used.

RESULTS

Badminton was the primary sport for 900 participants. Only 435 players were injured during badminton, and 626 participants intended to RTP. RTS was achieved by 396 (63%) and 117 (19%) returned to the same performance as their preinjury level. However, 273 (44%) returned to full participation at the same level as the preinjury level but did not perform as well. Males had a significantly higher RTS than females, and RTP was also higher among males [221 (68%) vs. 175 (58%), odds ratio, OR: 1.67, p = 0.003 and 74 (23%) vs. 43 (14%), OR: 1.58, p = 0.05].

CONCLUSION

Return to badminton was achieved by 396 (63%), but only 117 (19%) returned to the same performance as their preinjury level after ACL injury. Females are less successful in RTS and RTP. Future research on improving RTS and the RTP rates in badminton, in general, and specifically for females is needed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Biomechanical Effects of the Badminton Split-Step on Forecourt Lunging Footwork

BACKGROUND

This research investigates the biomechanical impact of the split-step technique on forehand and backhand lunges in badminton, aiming to enhance players' on-court movement efficiency. Despite the importance of agile positioning in badminton, the specific contributions of the split-step to the biomechanical impact of lunging footwork still need to be determined.

METHODS

This study examined the lower limb kinematics and ground reaction forces of 18 male badminton players performing forehand and backhand lunges. Data were collected using the VICON motion capture system and Kistler force platforms. Variability in biomechanical characteristics was assessed using paired-sample t-tests and Statistical Parametric Mapping 1D (SPM1D).

RESULTS

The study demonstrates that the split-step technique in badminton lunges significantly affects lower limb biomechanics. During forehand lunges, the split-step increases hip abduction and rotation while decreasing knee flexion at foot contact. In backhand lunges, it increases knee rotation and decreases ankle rotation. Additionally, the split-step enhances the loading rate of the initial ground reaction force peak and narrows the time gap between the first two peaks.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the split-step's potential in optimizing lunging techniques, improving performance and reducing injury risks in badminton athletes.

Difference in badminton-specific endurance evaluated by a newly developed on-court test between competitive levels: A pilot study of female players

We developed a test to evaluate badminton-specific endurance. The study included 10 female badminton players. Five participants were ranked in Japan's top 100 national rankings (ranked), whereas the others were unranked (unranked). Participants reacted quickly with badminton-specific steps from the base center to the four sensors at each corner of a singles badminton court. On each set, they reacted eight times to randomized instructions at stage-specific intervals (1.2, 1.0, and 0.8 s for stages 1, 2, and 3, respectively), which were performed six times with a rest of 20 s in each stage (8 movements × 6 sets × 3 stages). On a different day, participants ran on a treadmill as a comparative test. Blood lactate concentration (BLa) was measured on each test. In the badminton-specific test, ranked participants had lower BLa (4.2 ± 1.7 mM vs. 6.3 ± 3.1 mM), with medium or large effect sizes. The average reach time to sensors was shorter in ranked participants (1.56 ± 0.03 s vs. 1.62 ± 0.07 s), with medium or large effect sizes. BLa was similar between groups, with trivial or small effect sizes in the running test. These results suggest that the newly developed test can evaluate badminton-specific endurance.

Influence of Torsional Stiffness in Badminton Footwear on Lower Limb Biomechanics

Torsional stiffness of athletic footwear plays a crucial role in preventing injury and improving sports performance. Yet, there is a lack of research focused on the biomechanical effect of torsional stiffness in badminton shoes. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the influence of three different levels of torsional stiffness in badminton shoes on biomechanical characteristics, sports performance, and injury risk in badminton players. Fifteen male players, aged 22.8 ± 1.96 years, participated in the study, performing badminton-specific tasks, including forehand clear stroke [left foot (FCL) and right foot (FCR)], 45-degree sidestep cutting (45C), and consecutive vertical jumps (CVJ). The tasks were conducted wearing badminton shoes of torsional stiffness measured with Shore D hardness 50, 60, and 70 (referred to as 50D, 60D, and 70D, respectively). The primary biomechanical parameters included ankle, knee, and MTP joint kinematics, ankle and knee joint moments, peak ground reaction forces, joint range of motion (ROM), and stance time. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was employed for normally distributed data and Friedman tests for non-normally distributed data. The 70D shoe exhibited the highest ankle dorsiflexion and lowest ankle inversion peak angles during 45C task. The 60D shoe showed significantly lower knee abduction angle and coronal motions compared to the 50D and 70D shoes. Increased torsional stiffness reduced stance time in the FCR task. No significant differences were observed in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral ground reaction forces (GRF). However, the 70D shoe demonstrated higher vertical GRF than the 50D shoe while performing the FCR task, particularly during 70% - 75% of stance. Findings from this study revealed the significant role of torsional stiffness in reducing injury risk and optimizing performance during badminton tasks, indicating that shoes with an intermediate level of stiffness (60D) could provide a beneficial balance between flexibility and stability. These findings may provide practical references in guiding future badminton shoe research and development. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects of altering stiffness, considering factors such as athletic levels and foot morphology, to understand of the influence of torsional stiffness on motion biomechanics and injury prevalence in badminton-specific tasks.

Intelligent prediction of lower extremity loadings during badminton lunge footwork in a lab-simulated court

Introduction: Playing badminton has been reported with extensive health benefits, while main injuries were documented in the lower extremity. This study was aimed to investigate and predict the knee- and ankle-joint loadings of athletes who play badminton, with "gold standard" facilities. The axial impact acceleration from wearables would be used to predict joint moments and contact forces during sub-maximal and maximal lunge footwork. Methods: A total of 25 badminton athletes participated in this study, following a previously established protocol of motion capture and musculoskeletal modelling techniques with the integration of a wearable inertial magnetic unit (IMU). We developed a principal component analysis (PCA) statistical model to extract features in the loading parameters and a multivariate partial least square regression (PLSR) machine learning model to correlate easily collected variables, such as the stance time, approaching velocity, and peak accelerations, with knee and ankle loading parameters (moments and contact forces). Results: The key variances of joint loadings were observed from statistical principal component analysis modelling. The promising accuracy of the partial least square regression model using input parameters was observed with a prediction accuracy of 94.52%, while further sensitivity analysis found a single variable from the ankle inertial magnetic unit that could predict an acceptable range (93%) of patterns and magnitudes of the knee and ankle loadings. Conclusion: The attachment of this single inertial magnetic unit sensor could be used to record and predict loading accumulation and distribution, and placement would exhibit less influence on the motions of the lower extremity. The intelligent prediction of loading patterns and accumulation could be integrated to design training and competition schemes in badminton or other court sports in a scientific manner, thus preventing fatigue, reducing loading-accumulation-related injury, and maximizing athletic performance.

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.

Effect of balance training on footwork performance in badminton: An interventional study

Badminton is a racket sport that requires a wide variety of proficient postural changes and moves including jumps, lunges, quick changes in direction, and rapid arm movements. Efficient movement in badminton court entails reaching the shuttlecock in as few steps as possible while maintaining good balance. Balance training is an unexplored component in badminton training protocol, though balance is important in injury prevention and performance enhancement. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of balance training on sport-specific footwork performance of school-level competitive badminton players. We conducted a controlled trial involving 20 male badminton players (age 12.85±0.67 years). Participants were stratified according to their level of performance in the game, and payers from each stratum were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The control group (n = 8) engaged in 2 hours of ordinary badminton training, whereas the intervention group (n = 12) underwent 30 minutes of balance training followed by 1 hour and 30 minutes of ordinary badminton training, 2 days per week for 8 weeks. We tested the participants at baseline and after 8 weeks for static balance (Unipedal Stance Test), dynamic balance (Star Excursion Balance Test) and sport-specific footwork performance (shuttle run time and push-off times during stroke-play). On pre- vs. post-intervention comparisons, both groups improved in static balance (eyes opened) (p<0.05), but only the intervention group improved in dynamic balance (p = 0.036) and shuttle-run time (p = 0.020). The intervention group also improved push-off times for front forehand (p = 0.045), side forehand (p = 0.029) and rear around-the-head shots (p = 0.041). These improvements in push-off times varied between 19-36% of the baseline. None of the footwork performance measures significantly improved in the control group. Our findings indicate that incorporating a 30-minute balance training program into a regular training schedule improves dynamic balance, and on-court sport-specific footwork performance in adolescent competitive badminton players, after 8 weeks of training.

Biomechanical Analysis on Skilled Badminton Players during Take-Off Phase in Forehand Overhead Strokes: A Pilot Study

Simple Summary

Different movement speeds can contribute to different joint loading in sports. Joint contact force is the actual force acting on the articular surface, which could predict performance and injury, but is rarely reported for badminton overhead strokes. From the perspective of sports biomechanics, this paper analyzes the characteristics of kinematics and mechanics at each stage of the fast and moderately paced movements and studies the changes in the force of the lower extremity joints caused by the characteristics of the movements at different speeds so that athletes and enthusiasts can clarify the essentials of the movements and prevent sports injuries.

Abstract

Different movement speeds can contribute to different joint loading in sports. Joint contact force is the actual force acting on the articular surface, which could predict performance and injury, but is rarely reported for badminton overhead strokes. Through an approach using musculoskeletal modelling, six male elite badminton players performed forehand overhead strokes at different movement speeds (fast (100%) vs. moderate (90%)). The synchronized kinematics and ground reaction force (GRF) data were measured using a motion capturing system and a force platform. All kinematics and GRF information were input into the AnyBody musculoskeletal modelling to determine the three-dimensional hip, knee and ankle contact forces. Paired t-tests were performed to assess the significant differences among the GRF, joint kinematics and contact force variables between the movement speed conditions. The results showed that when compared with the moderate movement condition, participants performing faster stroke movements induced larger first and second vertical peaks and larger first horizontal peak but lower second horizontal peak, and it also led to higher peak ankle lateral and distal contact forces, knee lateral and distal contact forces, and hip distal contact forces. Additionally, fast movements corresponded with distinct joint angles and velocities at the instant of initial contact, peak and take-off among the hip, knee and ankle joints compared with moderate movement speeds. The current results suggest that changes in joint kinematics and loading could contribute to changes in movement speeds. However, the relationship between lower limb joint kinematics and contact forces during overhead stroke is unclear and requires further investigation.

Comparison of Energy Contributions and Workloads in Male and Female Badminton Players During Games Versus Repetitive Practices

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the energy contributions and workloads in men and women during badminton matches versus frequently used multi-ball smash practices.

Methods

Fourteen badminton players performed one badminton singles game and one session of smashing practice on separate days. The energy contributions were examined in terms of each individual’s three energy systems and substrate oxidation, while workloads included heart rate (HR), Player Load (PL), accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, and jumps.

Results

(1) During games, male players exhibited higher adenosine triphosphate–phosphocreatine system contribution (E_PCr, kJ) (p = 0.008) and average rate of carbohydrate oxidation (R_CHO, g/min) (p = 0.044) than female players, while female players showed greater absolute PL (p = 0.029) and more accelerations (p = 0.005) than male players. Furthermore, players who lost performed higher relative PL (p = 0.017) than those who won. (2) Higher energy system contributions, including E_PCr (kJ) (p = 0.028), E_HLa (kJ) (p = 0.024), E_Aer (kJ) (p = 0.012), E_Tot (kJ) (p = 0.007), and R_CHO (g/min) (p = 0.0002), were seen in male players during repetitive spike practices. Male players also made greater number of jumps (p = 0.0002). (3) Players exhibited higher aerobic energy contribution (p < 0.001), mean HR (p = 0.002), and HRmax (p = 0.029) during games, while exhibiting greater anaerobic energy contribution (p < 0.001) and relative PL (p = 0.001) during repetitive practices.

Conclusion

The similarities between male and female badminton players in proportional use of the three energy systems during games and repetitive spike training indicate similar relative energy demands for both genders. However, considering the need for higher aerobic capacity in competition, it might be advisable to design appropriate work:rest ratios for repetitive practices in daily training.

An exploratory investigation of patellofemoral joint loadings during directional lunges in badminton

Anterior knee pain is a commonly documented musculoskeletal disorder among badminton players. However, current biomechanical studies of badminton lunges mainly report kinetic profiles in the lower extremity with few investigations of in-vivo loadings. The objective of this study was to evaluate tissue loadings in the patellofemoral joint via musculoskeletal modelling and Finite Element simulation. The collected marker trajectories, ground reaction force and muscle activation data were used for musculoskeletal modelling to compute knee joint angles and quadricep muscle forces. These parameters were then set as boundary conditions and loads for a quasistatic simulation using the Abaqus Explicit solver. Simulations revealed that the left-forward (LF) and backward lunges showed greater contact pressure (14.98-29.61%) and von Mises stress (14.17-32.02%) than the right-forward and backward lunges; while, loadings in the left-backward lunge were greater than the left-forward lunge by 13-14%. Specifically, the stress in the chondral layer was greater than the contact interface, particularly in the patellar cartilage. These findings suggest that right-side dominant badminton players load higher in the right patellofemoral joint during left-side (backhand) lunges. Knowledge of these tissue loadings may provide implications for the training of badminton footwork, such as musculature development, to reduce cartilage loading accumulation, and prevent anterior knee pain.

Biomechanics of lower limb in badminton lunge: a systematic scoping review

Background

Badminton is a popular sport activity in both recreational and elite levels. A lot of biomechanical studies have investigated badminton lunge, since good lunge performance may increase the chances to win the game. This review summarized the current trends, research methods, and parameters-of-interest concerning lower-extremity biomechanics in badminton lunges.

Methodology

Databases including Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PubMed were searched from the oldest available date to September 2020. Two independent authors screened all the articles and 20 articles were eligible for further review. The reviewed articles compared the differences among playing levels, footwear designs, and lunge directions/variations, using parameters including ground reaction forces, plantar pressure distribution, kinematics, and kinetics.

Results

Elite badminton players demonstrated higher impact attenuation capability, more aggressive knee and ankle strategy (higher mechanical moment), and higher medial plantar load than amateur players. Footwear modifications can influence comfort perception and movement mechanics, but it remains inconclusive regarding how these may link with lunging performance. Contradicting findings in kinematics is possibly due to the variations in lunge and instructions.

Conclusions

Playing levels and shoe designs have significant effects on biomechanics in badminton lunges. Future studies can consider to use an unanticipated testing protocol and realistic movement intensity. They can study the inter-limb coordination as well as the contributions and interactions of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to injury risk. Furthermore, current findings can stimulate further research studying whether some specific footwear materials with structural design could potentially compromise impact attenuation, proprioception, and performance.

Joint contact force and movement deceleration among badminton forward lunges: a musculoskeletal modelling study

Joint contact force is the actual force applied on the articular surface that could predict performance and injuries, but rarely reported for badminton sport. The study sought to calculate lower limb joint contact force and decelerative kinematics for badminton forward lunges. Fifteen badminton players performed backhand and forehand forward lunges in random order. The kinematic and kinetic data were input to scale a musculoskeletal model and solve inverse dynamics in the simulations. Outcome variables were compared between lunge conditions using repeated measures MANOVA. Forehand lunge produced higher compressional ankle contact force (p = 0.040, partial η² = 0.14), faster touchdown hip abduction (p = 0.031, partial η² = 0.16), and larger horizontal deceleration of the mass centre (p = 0.016, partial η² = 0.19) and torso (p = 0.031, partial η² = 0.16) compared to backhand lunge. Despite the statistical significance, we found that the increments of joint loading in forehand lunge were small (<5%) with limited effect size and could be attributed to the larger movement deceleration during braking. These force changes could possess performance merits. However, its linkage to injury risk is unclear and warrants further investigation.

Badminton Injuries in Elite Athletes: A Review of Epidemiology and Biomechanics

Badminton is a popular sport in India and with multiple medal prospects will be closely followed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Considered the fastest of the racquet sports, players require aerobic stamina, agility, strength, speed, and precision, besides requiring good motor coordination and complex racquet movements. Injuries in badminton are common despite it not being a contact sport, and include overuse injuries, and acute traumatic events. The game is physically challenging and demands complex repetitive upper and lower extremity movements with constant postural variations and poses a high risk of overuse injuries to both the appendicular and axial musculoskeletal systems. Badminton also necessitates short bursts of movement with sudden sharp changes in direction, which places players at risk of non-contact traumatic injuries to joints and muscle-tendon units. Preventing injuries and decreasing time away from training and competition are critical in an elite badminton player's sporting career. This analytical review identifies the incidence, severity, and profile of badminton injuries in elite players, and discusses the biomechanical basis of these injuries.

Effect of shoe modifications on biomechanical changes in basketball: A systematic review

Shoe modifications are suggested to reduce the risks of injuries and improve sports performance in basketball. This review aimed to critically evaluate the effect of different basketball shoe modifications on biomechanical changes in basketball movements. Searches of four major databases for biomechanics studies which evaluated footwear construction/material in basketball yielded 442 records. After duplicates were removed and exclusion/inclusion criteria applied to the titles and abstracts, 20 articles remained for further quality assessment. Two reviewers independently confirmed 17 articles (n = 340 participants), with 95.5% of agreement between judgements, which were included for review. The results were categorised based on the following shoe modifications: (a) cushioning, (b) midsole hardness, (c) collar height, (d) outsole traction component, (e) forefoot bending stiffness and (f) shoe mass that influence lower limb biomechanics. The included articles revealed that 1) better shoe cushioning or softer midsole is related to better impact attenuation in passive/unanticipated situations, 2) high shoe collars are effective to improve ankle stability in jumping and cutting tasks, 3) increased shoe traction and forefoot bending stiffness can improve basketball jump, sprint and/or cut performances and 4) lighter shoe mass results in better jump and/or cut performances when the shoe mass is known.