Abstract
Background
Badminton is a fast-paced sport that has captivated more than 700 million people globally. Competing in badminton requires a high level of skill and strategic thinking, encompassing attributes such as agility, quick reaction times, endurance, spatial awareness, and strength. Despite its non-contact nature, badminton frequently results in injuries, encompassing both overuse injuries and acute traumatic incidents. The game requires a high level of physical fitness and involves intricate movements that place excessive strain on the upper extremities, lower extremities, and trunk region. This review aimed to identify the characteristics of musculoskeletal injuries in elite badminton players.
Methods
A systematic search through the electronic bibliographic databases, Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, ClinicalKey, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar in the past ten years between 2013 and 2023. Studies reported on elite badminton players, and the characteristics of injuries were included. The study's development followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. It was registered in the PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews). Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP).
Results
The study included 11 eligible articles. The result indicated that more than 40% of badminton players reported having injuries. More cases of lower extremity injury were reported, followed by upper and trunk regions. Tendinopathy, sprain, and strain are the most common injuries sustained by badminton players.
Conclusions
Early identification of athletes susceptible to injury risk is key to formulating a successful injury prevention initiative. Identifying the characteristics of injuries can offer valuable evidence for healthcare professionals, sports institutes, and coaches to implement injury prevention strategies for athletes.