Systematic Review on Badminton Injuries: Incidence, Characteristics, and Risk Factors

Introduction to the Article

The article titled “Systematic Review on Badminton Injuries: Incidence, Characteristics, and Risk Factors” compiles and analyzes existing scientific research on injuries in badminton. Badminton, a high-intensity racket sport played worldwide, requires rapid movements, frequent changes of direction, and high-impact actions, all of which increase the risk of injuries. Despite being a non-contact sport, the physical demands of badminton result in a variety of acute and overuse injuries. This systematic review aimed to assess the incidence of injuries, understand their characteristics, and identify key risk factors that contribute to injury occurrence in players of different levels, from recreational to elite athletes.

Summary of Key Aspect

Injury Incidence and Characteristics

The review found that injury incidence in badminton ranges from 1 to 4 injuries per 1000 hours of play. Lower extremity injuries are the most prevalent, accounting for 41% to 92% of reported injuries. Among these, the most frequently observed injuries include:

• Ankle sprains: These are the most common acute injuries, often caused by sudden lateral movements during matches.
• Knee injuries: Commonly involving ligament strains or patellar tendinopathies, knee injuries are associated with repetitive lunging and jumping.
• Upper limb injuries: Shoulder and elbow tendinopathies occur due to repetitive overhead strokes such as smashes and clears.

Additionally, overuse injuries represent a significant proportion, varying between 25% and 74% across different studies. These injuries often result from repeated high-intensity movements without adequate recovery periods.

Severity of Injuries

Most injuries reported were classified as mild to moderate, requiring less than 28 days for recovery. Severe injuries, though less frequent, can lead to long-term absence from competition and significant performance setbacks.

Identified Risk Factors

The review categorized risk factors into two primary groups:

1. Intrinsic Factors: These are inherent to the player’s physical condition and include:
   • Previous injury history
   • Muscle imbalances
   • Reduced flexibility
   • Joint instability
2. Extrinsic Factors: These are external elements that influence injury risk, such as:
   • Insufficient warm-up routines
   • Inappropriate footwear
   • High training loads
   • Hard playing surfaces

Conclusions and Practical Applications

This systematic review provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of badminton injuries. Based on the findings, the following key points are highlighted:

1. Proper warm-up routines are essential to reduce the risk of acute injuries.
2. Managing training loads can help prevent overuse injuries.
3. Strengthening key muscle groups improves joint stability and may lower the risk of common injuries.
4. Using appropriate footwear with good cushioning and lateral support can reduce the impact on joints.

Future Research Directions

The review calls for more longitudinal studies to better understand injury mechanisms and evaluate the effectiveness of injury prevention programs. Additionally, standardizing injury definitions and data collection methods across future studies would improve the comparability of research findings and lead to more effective preventive strategies.

This systematic review offers a comprehensive understanding of badminton injuries, providing crucial information for players, coaches, and researchers. By following the identified preventive measures, players can reduce their risk of injuries and maintain long-term performance in the sport.

Stepper, B., Hecksteden, A., Stagge, H., Faude, O., & Donath, L. (2025). Systematic review on badminton injuries: Incidence, characteristics and risk factors. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10, e002127. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002127