Racquet Sports Research Articles

Rocket sports and injuries to the eye and adjacent structures

Rocket sports are growing in popularity year after year in every age group. Like any sport, these also involve an increased likelihood of injury. There are different types of injuries that can be sustained as a result of racquet sports, however, in this paper we will not focus on the most common ones. Instead, we will lean on injuries to the eyeball, which is one of the most delicate structures of the human body. Complications of eyeball injuries can have more or less serious consequences. The most serious may even be total loss of vision, but it is important to keep in mind the possibility of a relatively less serious complication, which, if inadequately treated or ignored, can also result in total blindness. The most common mechanical injury to the eyeball that occurs as a result of racket sports is hemorrhage (hyphema). Since ocular injuries are associated with a high risk of complications, it is recommended that PPE (personal protective equipment)should be an integral part of every athlete’s equipment.Interestingly, lenses or corrective glasses are not considered to be adequate forms of protection. On the contrary, during an impact, they can be damaged and cause an aggravation of the injury. It seems that the use of protective eyewear made of specially designed materials can significantly reduce the likelihood of complications of eye injuries. Equally important may be proper education and promotion of protective measures among players, both professional and amateur. The purpose of this study was to analyze the most common types of injuries to the eye and surrounding structures and the occurrence of possible complications, as well as to review of available methods of preventing these injuries.

Sport and longevity: an observational study of international athletes.

The human lifespan is influenced by various factors, with physical activity being a significant contributor. Despite the clear benefit of exercise on health and longevity, the association between different types of sports and lifespan is yet to be considered. Accordingly, we aimed to study this association in a large international cohort of former athletes using a robust linear regression model. We collected data on athletes from public sources, accumulating a total of 95,210 observations, 95.5% of which were accounted for by males. The dataset represented athletes born between 1862 and 2002 from 183 countries across 44 sports disciplines. We calculated the change in lifespan by measuring the difference in age between athletes and the corresponding reference populations, while accounting for variations caused by sex, year of death, and country. The results revealed that various sports impacted lifespan differently, with male athletes being more likely to experience benefits from sports than female athletes. Among male athletes, pole vaulting and gymnastics were linked to the highest extension in lifespan (8.4years, 95% CI [6.8, 9.9] and 8.2years, 95% CI [7.4, 9], respectively), while volleyball and sumo wrestling were the most negatively associated with lifespan (- 5.4years, 95% CI [- 7, - 3.8]; - 9.8years, 95% CI [- 11, - 8.6], respectively). The association between lifespan and popular team sports in males was positive for cricket, rowing, baseball, water polo, Australian rules, hurling, lacrosse, field hockey, minimal for rugby, canoeing and kayaking, basketball, gridiron football, and football (soccer), and negative for handball and volleyball. Racquet sports (i.e., tennis and badminton) exhibited a consistent and positive association in both male and female athletes, as shown by an extended lifespan of up to 5.7years in males (95% CI [5, 6.5]) and 2.8years in females (95% CI [1.8, 3.9]). Although lacking conclusive evidence, we theorize that the observed results may be attributed to the aerobic and anaerobic characteristics of each sport, with mixed sports yielding the maximum benefits for the lifespan. While results from female athletes should be cautiously interpreted, our study highlights the complex interplay between sports and lifespan and contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the multifaceted relationship between physical activity and human longevity.

Maximizing the performance of badminton athletes through core strength training: Unlocking their full potential using machine learning (ML) modeling

Core strength training plays an essential role in maximizing performance for badminton athletes. The core muscles in the abdominal, back, and hip regions provide stability, enable efficient power transfer between the upper and lower body, and allow for rapid changes in direction - all crucial components for success in badminton. However, optimizing core training requires an understanding of its impact on sport-specific skills. A variety of exercises targeting the abdominal, back, and hip muscles are discussed. Incorporating core strength training into regular regimens can improve athletes' overall strength, endurance, balance, control, and prevent injuries. This study investigates the effects of various core exercises on stability, agility, and power in badminton players. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore the biomechanical demands of badminton and how core musculature contributes to movements like serving, smashing, and lunging. Studies assessing the effects of core training programs in related racquet sports were also examined. The results indicate that targeted core exercises significantly improve athletes' stability, agility, and power output. Exercises targeting the abdominal, back, and hip muscles enhance performance capabilities while reducing injury risk. Machine learning (ML) techniques are then applied to further analyze the relationship between core training and athletic performance. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is developed using a dataset of athletes' training histories, metrics, and injury profiles. The model predicts enhancements to stability, agility, and strength from optimized core strengthening routines. Validation confirms the network accurately captures the complex interactions between training variables and physical attributes. This integrated approach provides evidence-based guidelines for tailoring individualized training regimens to unleash players' full abilities. ANNs hold promise for analyzing large datasets on athletes' performance metrics, training variables, and injury histories to design personalized training programs. Linear regression analysis confirmed the ANN's accurate predictions. The findings emphasize integrating data-driven core strength training tailored for badminton into comprehensive programs can help optimize physical abilities and elevate performance levels.

Metacarpal Stress Fractures in Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Stress fractures in general are common injuries; however, there is limited literature on metacarpal stress fractures in athletes. Our objective is to contribute the first systematic review of metacarpal stress fractures in athletes, with a particular focus on epidemiology, presentation, and outcomes. A systematic review regarding metacarpal stress fractures in athletes was performed via PubMed, EMBASE, MedLine, Cochrane, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria consisted of case reports and case series of metacarpal stress fractures in athletes. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. A total of 11 studies (29 cases) were included. The mean patient age was 17 years, with 12 men and 15 women. The most common sports were tennis and badminton. The most common presentation was pain in the dorsal aspect of the hand related to activity. All patients underwent successful nonoperative management, with mean return to play of 9 weeks. Metacarpal stress fractures can present with significant pain and impact performance in athletes who perform sports involving repetitive movements of the hand and wrist. Nonoperative treatment, consisting of abstinence from sport until the patient was pain free combined with gradual return to play, was successful for all patients. The addition of proper technique and training load can result in satisfactory return to play. For patients who present with hand pain related to exercise, particularly a young racquet sport player, metacarpal stress fractures are a "can't miss" diagnosis associated with significant functional impairment.

Identification of sports categorization

Sports play a significant role in improving human health and financial status, particularly in competitive sports. It is also closely related to the prestige of a region or country. To achieve maximum results, appropriate guidance is required, which can be provided by relevant parties. Policy makers require a specific coaching system based on the characteristics of different sports, which should be carried out continuously with systematically arranged stages. With numerous sports available, it can be challenging to monitor the progress and evaluation of each sport. Therefore, it is necessary to categorize sports based on their characteristics. This research aims to form categories of sports that are adapted to the various characteristics of each sport. The research uses a descriptive qualitative method. The sports that are used as references are those that are competed in the Olympics, as well as those that are competed in Indonesia, especially in National Sports Week (PON). The sample includes 39 sports. After analyzing the characteristics of sports, the following categorizations have been produced: accuracy sports, martial arts, extreme sports, assessment sports, games sports, racquet sports, and measurable sports. Keywords: Category, Identification, Sport, Olympics.

Teaching a Successful Badminton Unit: Skills and Strategies for Secondary Physical Education

Lifetime participation in physical activity is a major goal of physical education. For this reason, teachers should focus on instructional units that provide students with knowledge and skills in content areas that can be used throughout their adult lives. Examples of lifetime activities include outdoor recreational activities, cycling, water sports, winter sports, racquet sports, golf, fitness pursuits, and some team sports. One lifetime activity physical educators could consider teaching is badminton. This article provides middle and high school physical education teachers with the basic but necessary information to teach an effective badminton unit.

Biomechanical Insights for Developing Evidence-Based Training Programs: Unveiling the Kinematic Secrets of the Overhead Forehand Smash in Badminton through Novice-Skilled Player Comparison

Badminton, a dynamic racquet sport demanding agility and power, features the overhead forehand smash as a pivotal offensive shot. Utilizing 3D motion analysis, this research delves into the intricate biomechanical facets underpinning this pivotal shot, with a dual focus on both novice and proficient players. Through a comparative analysis of these two player cohorts, the investigation aims to elucidate the fundamental factors influencing the quality of the forehand smash. Our findings reveal that skilled players exhibit significant improvements in smash quality, including a 60.2% increase in shuttlecock speed, reduced clearance height, and flight angle at release. These enhancements are associated with specific determinants, such as consistent positioning, racket angle at impact, and range of motion (ROM) in various joints. More crucially, full-body tension-arc formation and a four-segment whip-like smash contribute to these improvements. Unique to the whip-like smash is the rapid trunk and shoulder rotations in early whip-like control inducing passive elbow flexion and wrist over-extension, enhancing the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) effect of muscles for a more powerful smash. Emphasizing this uniqueness and the determinants simplify smash learning, potentially boosting training effectiveness. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of badminton’s biomechanics and offers practical implications for coaches and players to enhance their forehand smashes, especially among beginners.

A Review of Physiotherapy Techniques Used in the Treatment of Tennis Elbow.

Tennis elbow, a common musculoskeletal disorder also known as lateral epicondylitis, causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. Although it is frequently linked to repetitive motions, such as those in racquet sports, it can affect people in a variety of occupations and activities. Tennis elbow can be treated conservatively with physiotherapy, which focuses on pain management, functional recovery, and recurrence prevention. The goal of this review is to give a thorough overview of the physiotherapy methods used to treat tennis elbow. In order to determine the most effective treatment options, it is crucial to comprehend the pathophysiology and etiology of tennis elbow from the outset of the study. The assessment and diagnosis of tennis elbow are next covered, emphasizing the importance of physiotherapists in correctly diagnosing the ailment and distinguishing it from other musculoskeletal problems that are comparable to it. This study primarily focuses on the numerous physiotherapy therapies for tennis elbow, which may include but are not limited to, and the section examines the use of manual treatments to treat pain and enhance joint function, including joint mobilizations, soft tissue massage, and myofascial release. Exercise rehabilitation covers the value of tailored workouts to bolster the weak muscles and enhance the elbow joint's biomechanics. Numerous workout regimens are covered, such as eccentric training and progressive resistance exercises, as well as modalities. Therapeutic agents frequently make use of modalities such as ultrasound, laser therapy, and cryotherapy. It may also make use of complementary therapeutic agents such as taping and bracing. In summary, this in-depth analysis highlights the crucial role that physical therapy plays in the treatment of tennis elbow. It seeks to give practitioners a useful tool for enhancing the care and results of patients with this common and crippling ailment by summarizing the most recent research and best practices in physiotherapy approaches.

Comparison of the Foot-Ankle Characteristics and Physical and Functional Performance of Racquet Sport Players

Comparison of the Foot-Ankle Characteristics and Physical and Functional Performance of Racquet Sport Players

Padel an increasing cause of sport-related eye injuries in Sweden.

The objective of this study was to determine the current Swedish epidemiology of sport-related eye injuries and to analyse the effect of the increased popularity of the racquet sport padel. This was a retrospective, register-based, cohort study of medical records in the county of Jönköping, Sweden. All individuals with a sports-related eye injury needing healthcare between January 2017 and December 2021 were included. For these individuals, data about background, consequences and treatment of the injuries were obtained. During the 5-year study period, 255 patients sought care for sports-related eye injuries at the ophthalmological clinics in Jönköping County. Floorball caused the largest proportion of eye injuries (39%) followed by padel (20%) and football (15%). However, the proportion of injuries caused by padel increased during the study period to be the dominating cause in 2021. Compared to floorball, patients with eye injuries from padel were older and had female gender to a higher extent. The ball caused almost all injuries from padel; the majority occurred in the right eye. Most the eye injuries from padel were mild or moderate but 4% had severe consequences with an imminent risk of long-term complications. In a short time period, padel has become the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries in Sweden. To reduce the number of eye injuries, protective eyewear could be recommended.

Biomecânica e Traumatologia do Padel

Padel is a recent sport but exhibits one of the biggest popularity growth rates worldwide. It differs from the rest of racquet sports since it is played in a smaller field, which translates to a higher frequency of shots, predominantly overhead shots. This factor contributes to a higher prevalence of injuries of the upper limbs in Padel when compared to other racquet sports, however, the most frequent injuries occur on the lower limbs. The scientific literature about traumatic lesions is still premature and limited. More studies are essential about the incidence, type and mechanism of injuries in this growing sport, the impact of game technique as a risk factor, identifying other risk factors, as well as developing preventive strategies.

Tennis Elbow: What Is It? How Do I Get Back to My Regular Activities?

You do not have to play tennis to get tennis elbow-a very common problem for people who do lots of repetitive movements of the wrist, forearm and elbow, such as carpentry, painting or racquet sports. Most people with tennis elbow feel pain on the outside of their elbow and upper forearm. Experts in managing elbow pain developed a guideline for rehabilitation clinicians to use to help you understand more about tennis elbow. Here, we explain what the guidelines say about how to diagnose tennis elbow (sometimes called lateral elbow pain or lateral elbow tendinopathy), the specific treatments your physical therapist might offer you to help manage pain and improve the mobility of your elbow, and the types of exercises you could do to strengthen the muscles in your wrist and forearm.

ANALISIS BIOMEKANIK KINETIK PADA ATLET BADMINTON DENGAN NYERI LUTUT SAAT GERAKAN BACKHAND DIAGONAL FORWARD LUNGES

AbstractBadminton is a popular racquet sport around the world, this sport has the characteristics of explosive and intensive movements. The incidence of badminton injuries less than the other sports, but the severity is higher, one of the most common injuries is knee injury The purpose of this study was to see there was a relationship or not between the quality of knee pain (measured by KOOS), muscle activation (measured by surface EMG) and to determine whether there is an effect of multiregional history injury on the activation of m.vastus medialis oblique, m.vastus lateralis, m.biceps femoris and m.erector spine during backhand diagonal forward lunges. This type of research is a cross sectional study design The samples in this study were 21 athletes who were included in the inclusion criteria. The results of the normality test were by Shapiro Wilk the results obtained were p 0.064> 0.05, the correlation test using Pearson correalation 0.00 <00.5 there is a strong relationship between the quality of pain with muscle activation and different tests using the independent sample t-test m.erector spine (0.04 <0.05) showed an effect of multiregional injury history on activation on m.erector spine. Keywords: Badminton, Lunges, Knee Pain, Muscle activation

Effectiveness and Kinematic Analysis of Initial Step Patterns for Multidirectional Acceleration in Team and Racquet Sports.

The ability for quick multidirectional accelerations is crucial for athletic performance in team and racquet sports. So far, there has been little research dedicated to different initial step patterns usually applied by players. Therefore, the present study investigated the kinematic characteristics and effectiveness of the following step patterns: Jab Step (JS), Pivot Step (PS), Gravity Step (GS) and Counter Step (CS). Twenty-two male competitive team and racquet sport athletes completed maximum lateral accelerations utilizing the step patterns. Following familiarization with each step pattern, three 5 m sprints (5 m STs) into both directions (left & right) were completed. Sprint times, the translation of the center of mass (CoM) and joint angles were obtained using three-dimensional motion analysis. 5 m STs of the CS were faster compared to the GS and PS for both directions. A detailed distance-time analysis revealed that for shorter distances only the JS was faster than the GS. Regarding the sequence in which the maximum angular velocities (max. ) in the hip, the knee, and the ankle were reached during the push off, there was a proximal-to-distal sequence for the JS and the CS, but a distal-to proximal sequence for the GS and the PS. The results reveal that the JS and the CS are superior for accelerations towards the lateral direction. Specifically, they indicate that the JS is more suitable for covering very short distances and the CS is superior for covering further distances. In addition, the distal-to-proximal sequence of max. during the push-off in the GS and the PS might indicate lower kinematic efficiency.

Psycho-motor attributes among various racquet sports players

Psycho-motor attributes among various racquet sports players

Investigation of Competition Anxiety in Racquet Sports in terms of Self-Inhibition Tendency

Bu çalışmada raket sporlarında mücadele eden sporcuların yarışma kaygısı düzeyinin kendini engelleme eğilimi açısından incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmaya Çanakkale ilinde yaşayan, raket sporları (tenis, masa tenisi, badminton) ile ilgilenen 18 yaşından büyük, 108 sporcu gönüllü bir şekilde katılarak, araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma kapsamında verilen toplanmasında kendini sabotaj ölçeği ve revize edilmiş yarışma durumluluk kaygı envanteri kullanılmıştır. Google formlar ile sporculara ulaşılan bu araştırmada, elde edilen verilerin analizi SPSS 26 programında yapılmıştır. Verilerin dağılımı, çarpıklık ve basıklık değerlerine bakılarak belirlenmiştir ve bu değerlerin normal dağılıma uygun aralıkta olduğu görülmüştür. Normal dağılım gösterdiği belirlenen verilerin analizinde bağımsız örneklem t testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) ve Pearson korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Sporcuların kendini sabotaj ve yarışma kaygısı düzeyleri cinsiyet, yaş ve spor yılı değişkenlerine göre incelendiğinde bu değişkenler arasında anlamlı farklılığa rastlanmamıştır. Mevcut araştırmada sporcuların yarışma kaygısı düzeylerinin spor branşına göre farklılaştığı tespit edilmiştir. Bunun yanında sporcuların kendini sabotaj düzeyleri ile yarışma kaygıları ve kendine güvenleri arasında pozitif bir ilişkinin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Yarışma kaygı ile kendini sabotajın pozitif bir ilişki içerisinde olması, kaygı arttığında kendini sabotaj eğilimini arttırmaktadır.

Brain dynamics of visual anticipation during spatial occlusion tasks in expert tennis players

Stimulus identification and action outcome understanding for a rapid and accurate response selection, play a fundamental role in racquet sports. Here, we investigated the neurodynamics of visual anticipation in tennis manipulating the postural and kinematic information associated with the body of opponents by means of a spatial occlusion protocol. Event Related Potentials (ERPs) were evaluated in two groups of professional tennis players (N = 37) with different levels of expertise, while they observed pictures of opponents and predicted the landing position as fast and accurately as possible. The observed action was manipulated by deleting different body districts of the opponent (legs, ball, racket and arm, trunk). Full body image (no occlusion) was used as control condition. The worst accuracy and the slowest response time were observed in the occlusion of trunk and ball. The former was associated with a reduced amplitude of the ERP components likely linked to body processing (the N1 in the right hemisphere) and visual-motor integration awareness (the pP1), as well as with an increase of the late frontal negativity (the pN2), possibly reflecting an effort by the insula to recover and/or complete the most correct sensory-motor representation. In both occlusions, a decrease in the pP2 may reflect an impairment of decisional processes upon action execution following sensory evidence accumulation. Enhanced amplitude of the P3 and the pN2 components were found in more experienced players, suggesting a greater allocation of resources in the process connecting sensory encoding and response execution, and sensory-motor representation.

Injuries in non-professional padel tennis players. Results of a survey of the Italian Federation of Tennis in Liguria, Italy.

To understand padel tennis injuries occurrence in Liguria, Italy. Paddle is a well know racquet sport, similar to tennis. padel tennis has been widely adopted in Liguria only in the last 4 years, however sport practice was largely reduced by the worldwide spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A questionnaire (N.=19 questions) was sent to all members of the Italian Federation of Tennis involved in official tournaments of padel tennis. We collected data on the number of injuries, the most frequent injuries, their distribution, type, location, the moment at which these occurred, and the diagnostic modality used to make the diagnosis. A total of 800 Italian padel tennis players took part in the survey (mean age: 49±22 years). In total, 85 injuries were registered in 2020/2021 up to 1/6/2021. The majority of lesion was located on the lower limb N.=49/85 with the knee N.=16/49 highly affected. Then, the majority of lesion of the upper limb were localized al the elbow N.=22/36, the majority epicondylitis. Padel tennis injuries resulted more common in the lower limb and the elbow was the most affected area at the upper limb.

Effect of electromyostimulation and plyometrics training on sports-specific parameters in badminton players

Badminton is one of the world's most popular racquet sports, demanding motor skills such as agility and vertical jump mainly for striking a shuttlecock. This study compared the effects of four weeks of plyometric training and electromyostimulation of knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor muscles on agility, 30-m sprint, lower limb explosive power and jumping ability amongst badminton players. State-level badminton players (n ​= ​90) were randomly allocated into three groups: plyometric (PG), electromyostimulation (EG) and control group (CG), each with 30 players. Randomized-to-Groups Pretest-Posttest Design with two experimental (plyometric and electromyostimulation) groups and a control group was used. The plyometric training was carried out two times/week while the EMS training was four times/week for four weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention. All three groups continued their general badminton training throughout the study. Players were assessed for agility, a 30-m sprint, a standing broad jump and a vertical jump height before and after four weeks. A significant improvement (p ​= ​0.01) in 30-m sprint time was observed (3.83%) in PG as compared to controls. Jumping ability was significantly improved in both the PG and EG in comparison to the controls (4.45%, p ​= ​0.003 for PG and 3.95%, p ​= ​0.048 for EG). No significant improvement was found in agility and lower limb explosive power in either of the PG or EG groups in comparison to the controls. Plyometric training showed significant improvement in sprint time and jumping ability, whereas electromyostimulation training showed significant improvement only in jumping ability.

Association of Leisure Time Physical Activity Types and Risks of All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer Mortality Among Older Adults

Higher amounts of physical activity are associated with increased longevity. However, whether different leisure time physical activity types are differentially associated with mortality risk is not established. To examine whether participation in equivalent amounts of physical activity (7.5 to <15 metabolic equivalent of task [MET] hours per week) through different activity types is associated with mortality risk and to investigate the shape of the dose-response association. Participants in this cohort were respondents from the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study who completed the follow-up questionnaire between 2004 and 2005. This questionnaire collected data on weekly durations of different types of physical activities. Mortality was ascertained through December 31, 2019. MET hours per week spent participating in the following activities: running, cycling, swimming, other aerobic exercise, racquet sports, golf, and walking for exercise. All-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Separate multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of mortality for each of the 7 types of leisure time physical activities, as well as the sum of these activities. A total of 272 550 participants (157 415 men [58%]; mean [SD] age at baseline, 70.5 [5.4] years [range, 59-82 years]) provided information on types of leisure time activity, and 118 153 (43%) died during a mean (SD) follow-up of 12.4 (3.9) years. In comparison with those who did not participate in each activity, 7.5 to less than 15 MET hours per week of racquet sports (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.93) and running (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.92) were associated with the greatest relative risk reductions for all-cause mortality, followed by walking for exercise (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.89-0.93), other aerobic activity (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.90-0.95), golf (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.90-0.97), swimming (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98), and cycling (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99). Each activity showed a curvilinear dose-response association with mortality risk; low MET hours per week of physical activity for any given activity type were associated with a large reduction in mortality risk, with diminishing returns for each increment in activity thereafter. Associations were similar for cardiovascular and cancer mortality. This cohort study of older individuals found differences between different types of leisure time activities and mortality risk, but there were significant associations between participating in 7.5 to less than 15 MET hours per week of any activity and mortality risk.