Chronic lateral epicondylitis (CLE) arises from overuse and repetitive strain on the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), particularly prevalent among racquet sport athletes. Given the compensatory workload on a weakened ECRB, this study specified how CLE influences muscle synergy through the neural common drive to motor units (MUs) in both the ECRB and extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL). Eighteen patients with CLE (49.5 ± 9.2 years) and eighteen healthy participants (48.8 ± 10.4 years) took part in the study. The force dynamics and discharge characteristics of MUs in the agonists were compared between the patient and control groups during a graded force-increasing task. Patients with CLE showed significantly greater task errors (P = 0.005) with smaller mean frequency (MF) of force fluctuations (P = 0.006) than healthy controls. In addition to reduced maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), patients exhibited a lower common drive index (CDI) within the ECRB (P = 0.001) and between the ECRB and ECRL (P = 0.007), with no significant difference observed in the CDI within the ECRL (P > 0.05). The coefficient of variation of the CDI among MU pairs was significantly lower in the patient group for both within the ECRB (CV-CDIECRB) (P < 0.001) and between the ECRB and ECRL (CV-CDIECRB-ECRL) (P = 0.004). Functionally, the size of task errors was negatively correlated with CV-CDIECRB and CV-CDIECRB-ECRL (P < 0.05), while MF of force fluctuations was positively correlated with CV-CDIECRB. Impaired force control in chronic lateral epicondylitis is associated with altered variability and coordination of common synaptic input, highlighting the relevance of coordination-focused rehabilitation strategies.

Introduction: Table tennis (TM) is a very popular sport with remarkable educational potential due to its ease of learning and its benefits at the motor level. However, its presence as educational content in physical education (PE) classes is limited. Objective: To analyse the perceptions of primary education (PE) teachers about the reasons that facilitate or limit the incorporation of MT as educational content. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study was conducted using the "Racquet Sports Attitude Scale (RSAS)" questionnaire. The RSAS was applied to 393 PE teachers in Aragon. Chi-square tests and effect size estimates were performed. Results: There was unanimous disagreement with the exclusion of MT as content (88.5%). The danger of its use reached the highest rejection (99.4%), while the item not demanded by the students obtained a value of 88.5%. The main barrier identified was the lack of material resources (75.7%). Discussion: The results obtained align with previous studies, which state that educational centres face structural problems in their implementation due to the scarcity of facilities and materials. A significant lack of teacher training and a shortage of teaching resources for its implementation are highlighted. Conclusions: PE teachers show a very positive attitude towards the use of TM as content in PE classes. The provision of equipment and specific teacher training appear to be the main factors influencing the effective integration of TM into the PE curriculum of primary schools.

Handgrip strength (HGS) has been considered as an indicator of muscle strength and overall physical fitness, with increasing relevance in sports science for talent identification and performance monitoring. However, no bibliometric study has been conducted to map the HGS research landscape in athletic contexts. A bibliometric analysis was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection database, retrieving 229 publications. Typical bibliometric laws (i.e., Price's, Bradford's, Lotka's, and Zipf's) were employed to analyze publication trends, core journals, influential authors, country contributions, and keyword co-occurrences. Annual publications increased exponentially, especially after 2019, reaching 37 documents in 2024. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness were the most prominent journals. The United States and Spain led in productivity and impact. Key research themes included strength, performance, body composition, and physical fitness, with HGS demonstrating significant associations with sport tasks such as throwing, racquet sports, and weightlifting. HGS constitutes an accessible and valuable tool for assessing and predicting athletic performance, especially in sports requiring upper body strength and coordination. Future research should aim to expand database inclusion and address identified gaps, such as the relationship between HGS training and sport-specific outcomes.

Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries are common in athletes and may lead to substantial pain and functional limitations. This study characterizes TFCC injuries in athletes, particularly those involved in racquet sports. We also report on treatment patterns, patient outcomes, and risk factors for TFCC injury. Patients with soft tissue injuries of the wrist at our institution in the last 9 years were screened for diagnosis of TFCC injury associated with racquet sports. Patients were excluded if there was no record of treatment or follow-up after diagnosis. Retrospective chart review was performed to collect data on demographics, injury and treatment specifics, return to baseline activity (RTBA) time after initiating treatment, and complications. Of 700 patients diagnosed with TFCC injury, 23.1% sustained injury during sports. Twenty-five (15.4%) were playing a racquet sport, most commonly tennis (n = 21). Five patients were excluded according to exclusion criteria. Fifty-five percent of the included patients were men, adolescents, and played their sport competitively. Seventy-five percent injured their dominant wrist, with 35% sustaining an ulnar-sided tear. Fifteen patients were treated nonoperatively through wrist immobilization and therapy. Of the 5 surgically treated patients, 4 underwent arthroscopic debridement while 1 underwent open repair. Seventeen patients (12 nonoperative and all surgical) were able to RTBA (average time: 134 days), of which only one had pain recurrence. Triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries disproportionately affect tennis players but favorably resolved from nonoperative treatment in 73.3% of cases and from surgery in all cases. Prior TFCC pathology and age above 50 were associated with no RTBA.

ABSTRACT Through the theoretical lens of disruptive innovation, this study explores the expansion of Padel in England. It examines the paradoxical situation whereby despite heightened popularity and unprecedented growth, the sport faces significant barriers which threaten to restrict future development. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from participants through semi-structured interviews with both regular and ‘new’ participants from the Padel community in the South of England. Thematic analysis identified three main themes: (i) Barriers to Entry, (ii) Exposure and Expansion, and (iii) Governance and the role of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Barriers to entry included financial barriers, infrastructural and geographical limitations, and issues surrounding accessibility and inclusivity. Broader findings revealed equipment costs and court hire presented obstacles for participating, whilst disparities between urban and rural regions exacerbated accessibility issues. Infrastructure limitations, notably court scarcity outside major conurbations coupled with limited indoor facilities, negatively impacted Padel participation. Concerns were raised amongst participants regarding governance issues and Padel’s perceived associations with exclusivity, mirroring challenges faced by traditional racquet sports, notably tennis. Recommendations to better support Padel development are proposed.

Abstract Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a musculoskeletal condition that causes pain outside the elbow. It affects approximately 1 million people in the United States annually. About 3% of adults over the age of 40 and up to 7% of manual labourers are affected by this condition every year. It is prevalent mainly among sports enthusiasts who engage in racquet sports such as tennis, badminton, squash, etc., and also among labourers who work with heavy instruments for lifting and gripping activities. Early detection is crucial for identifying the symptoms and inflammation contributing to poor performance and prolonged recovery. Temperature variation is one of the primary and early symptoms indicating the inflammation of the lateral epicondyle. In this work, a wearable IoT-based device was developed that integrates a temperature sensor, a Node Microcontroller unit (MCU), and a notification-based alarm system. The developed system captures real-time temperature values over the skin near the lateral epicondyle area, then passes them safely to the cloud and informs users when the temperature exceeds the threshold value. The data saved in the cloud is available for retrieval through a web interface that enables users to keep track of their condition very efficiently. Such efficient monitoring can result in the early detection of symptoms of tennis elbow, allowing individuals to take preventive steps and thereby decrease the progression of the disease.

In kinesiology and exercise science, researchers want to identify factors associated with players&amp;rsquo; performance. In racquet sports, matches are played in a tournament format, and researchers often find observational data for their studies rather than collecting experimental data. Even when an experiment is conducted, which is very rare in literature, a randomized design has been considered to produce unbiased results. Given a small number of participants and limited time, in theory, an optimal experimental design can produce more statistical information about parameters of interest than a completely randomized design. This article includes simulations and a real application of an optimal experimental design to racquet sports research. In our research plan, there were some logistical considerations (e.g., no replicated matches, computation time), and simulations demonstrated that the c- and D-optimal designs result in higher statistical power for single- and multiple-parameter hypothesis testing, respectively, than the completely randomized design. For our research, the D-optimal design was applied to a doubles pickleball tournament with 16 subjects and one half of a day. Participants&amp;rsquo; fitness and skill levels were measured in the morning, the doubles tournament was designed in real time on site using a pre-written algorithm, and the tournament design was executed on the same day. To make this computation accessible, an interactive applet is provided in the Appendix of this article with instructions.

Abstract Athletes training and competing in sports with a large body water turnover (e.g., team, endurance, and racquet sports) commonly focus on sodium containing foods, beverages, and supplements before, during and after exercise. Despite this, current guidelines for these scenarios are non-specific, primarily due to a lack of available evidence at the time of their writing. Recent evidence, plus a more detailed interpretation of the existing literature, may allow for more specific recommendations. This review examines the common rationales given by athletes, coaches, and practitioners for the planned intake of sodium on a daily basis, before, during, and after exercise. Currently there is no evidence that athletes require a greater dietary sodium intake day-to-day, due to regulation of sodium losses via the kidneys and sweat glands. Whether before, during or after exercise, evidence suggests that it is the relationship between sodium and water that influences health and performance outcomes, not sodium balance or total body sodium content in isolation. This relationship between water and sodium, given its influence on extracellular osmolality, influences thirst drive and fluid retention (i.e., overall body water balance), as well as the distribution of fluid between intracellular and extracellular compartments. Recommendations for sodium must therefore be made relative to changes in both sodium losses and fluid balance (i.e., fluid losses and intake), rather than planning based on sodium losses alone as many athletes, coaches, and practitioners have traditionally done. Common problems relating to sodium intake or balance (e.g., gastrointestinal issues and exercise-associated hyponatraemia) generally arise because of a mismatch between sodium and fluid balance. Questions remain about the form of sodium (i.e., sodium chloride or sodium citrate), and the delivery method (i.e., in solution, foods, or capsules), and the role, if any, of oral sensing of salty taste generally, or sodium specifically. Finally, some recommendations provided are based on limited evidence, extrapolations of research to specific scenarios, and/or theoretical modelling. Further research should address these gaps, as well as reproducing findings across a broader range of athletes (based on age, sex and athletic ability) and exercise types (e.g., weight-bearing exercise, intermittent exercise).

Objectives:Capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions can be challenging to treat due to difficulties with adequate exposure and healing. Traditional microfracture relies on formation of fibrocartilage over more anatomic hyaline cartilage, with only acceptable clinical outcomes reported. Compared to other body locations (e.g. knee, talus), the thin cortex of the distal humerus makes osteochondral graft technically demanding due to the risk of iatrogenic fracture when attempting to achieve press fit of the graft. Past studies have demonstrated enhanced microfracture with BioCartilage to be a viable technique for treatment of OCD of the talus, though little literature exists regarding application of biologically-enhanced microfracture for capitellar OCD lesions. The purpose of this study was to report the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and return to sport (RTS) of pediatric patients who underwent enhanced microfracture for OCD lesions of the capitellum.Methods:This consecutive case series included patients aged <18 years of age with unstable, contained humeral capitellum OCD who underwent enhanced microfracture and had minimum 1 year of clinical follow-up and PRO scores. Patients who had bilateral capitellum OCD, underwent a concomitant OAT procedure, and/or concomitant injuries were excluded to limit the influence of other lesions or injuries on PROs. In each case, bone marrow is aspirated from the iliac crest and mixed BioCartilageÒ extracellular matrix (Arthrex, Naples, FL). After initial diagnostic arthroscopy, debridement, and loose body removal, a small arthrotomy is made through an anconeus-splitting approach. The OCD lesion is confirmed to be contained and then the mixture is placed into the defect and sealed with fibrin glue.Patient demographics and surgical variables including lesion characteristics were collected from the medical record. Clinical data including elbow range of motion (ROM), RTS time, postoperative sport level, complications, and date of last follow-up were collected. Patient reported outcomes (PROs), including HSS Pedi-FABS, Quick DASH, PROMIS Mobility, PROMIS Pain Interference, and PROMIS Upper Extremity, were obtained at baseline (if available) and at least 1 year postoperatively. PRO scores and range of motion were compared pre- and post-operatively using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests based on normality testing with Shapiro-Wilk tests.Results:A total of 19 patients were included (mean age 12.8 ± 1.5) with an average 19.9 ± 8.4 months follow up. Fourteen (73.7%) patients were female. The most common primary sports were gymnastics (n=7, 36.8%), baseball or softball (n=2, 10.5%), and racquet sports (n=2, 10.5%) (Table 1). Lesion size (assessed intra-operatively) averaged 10.7 ± 2.0mm (anterior-posterior), 9.9 ± 1.6mm (medial-lateral), and 4.6 ± 1.8mm (depth). Fifteen (78.9%) patients had a frank loose body with nine (47.4%) had a loose body in situ. All lesions were contained, and 18 (94.7%) were unstable (one chronic lesion refractory to conservative management had cystic changes) (Table 2).Flexion improved from 137.6 ± 5.4° pre-operatively to 147.6 ± 5.1° (p=0.001) at >1 year post-operative, while extension remained near full pre- and post-operatively (-2.1 ± 6.3° vs -3.7 ± 4.0°, p=0.151) (Table 3). PRO scores improved from pre- to post-operative for all scales used (Table 4). Seventeen (89.5%) patients returned to their primary sport at a mean 5.7 ± 1.3 months, with all reporting this to be at the same competitive level or higher. The two patients who did not return to their primary sport changed to pole vaulting and cheerleading, both due to patient preference for a lack of interest in gymnastics. There were no complications including infection or requirement for further surgery.Conclusions:As an adjunct to traditional microfracture for contained capitellar OCD lesions, this study demonstrated that addition of a micronized allogeneic cartilage scaffold is a viable treatment strategy for pediatric patients. We observed favorable PROs outcomes with a ~90% RTS rate >1 year after surgery for these injuries, supportive of the results of this technique in other anatomic regions and adult populations. These results are in contrast to isolated microfracture where RTS rates are closer to 50-75%, suggesting enhanced microfracture to be a new standard for contained lesions.

Background: Badminton requires rapid trunk rotations and dynamic core stability to accommodate frequent changes in body position. While trunk muscle endurance has been linked to low back pain (LBP) in the general population, there remains a significant gap regarding its association with LBP in overhead sports athletes, particularly female recreational badminton players. This study investigated the relationship between trunk muscle endurance and functional disability in female recreational badminton players with low back pain. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 female recreational badminton players aged 18-40 years with low back pain lasting more than 4 weeks. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from badminton clubs. Trunk muscle endurance was assessed using endurance tests: trunk flexor endurance (FLEX), trunk extensor endurance (EXT), right and left side planks (RSB, LSB), and right and left flexion-rotation tests. Functional disability was measured using the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS v29, with independent t-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient to evaluate relationships between variables. Results: The study included 128 participants with a mean age of 25.8 ± 6.2 years. The majority (66.41%) experienced minimal disability, while 33.59% had moderate disability according to ODI scores (mean: 15.31 ± 9.38%). Trunk flexor endurance was higher in the minimal disability group (77.14 ± 23.14 seconds) compared to moderate disability (69.51 ± 19.17 seconds), with borderline significance (p = 0.0649). Right flexion-rotation endurance showed a significant difference (p = 0.0313), being higher in the moderate disability group. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between right flexion-rotation endurance and ODI scores (r = 0.1741, p = 0.0494). Conclusion: While overall trunk endurance did not differ significantly between minimal and moderate disability groups, our results point toward subtle but clinically relevant asymmetries, particularly in rotational endurance. These asymmetries may contribute to perceived disability through inefficient or compensatory motor strategies. Thus, rehabilitation strategies in NSLBP, especially in racquet sport athletes, should go beyond general core strengthening and include movement-specific and side-specific endurance training to address the root of dysfunction

Outcomes of grafting extracellular matrix with bone marrow aspirate concentrate in pediatric and adolescent patients with capitellar osteochondritis dissecans.

The aim of this study is to compare mental toughness levels in racket sports according to various variables. The sample of the study consisted of 415 volunteer athletes (206 females and 209 males). The Mental Toughness Inventory in Sports was used to collect the data. The scale used is a 4-point likert type. In addition, the Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficients of the scale are control 0.66, continuity 0.71, and confidence 0.72. SPSS 21.0 package program was used to analysis of data. Skewness and kurtosis values were used to test the normality distribution of the data, then parametric tests were applied. Independent Groups T-Test and One-Way ANOVA were used to compare variables and Tukey Post Hoc test was used to test between which groups the difference existed. Data were evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of 0.05. As a result of the research, no significant difference was found between the mental toughness level and gender variable (p&amp;gt;0,05). There were significant differences in all sub-dimensions between the groups according to the sport type variable, sport age variable, and the number of training days (p&amp;lt;0,05). As a result, it can be said that the mental toughness levels of athletes are affected by the variables of training day, sport age and sport type, and increasing the level of mental toughness is important for athlete performance.

IntroductionHandgrip strength (HGS) is a key indicator of upper-body strength and overall physical fitness. While its links to health and sports performance have been widely studied, its relationship with the risk of exercise addiction (REA) remains unclear. Thus, the present study examines the relationship between HGS and REA across various sports disciplines, sexes, and national contexts, aiming to deepen our understanding of their intricate interplay.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 1,211 high-level athletes from Türkiye (n = 656) and Hungary (n = 555), spanning a wide range of competitive sports. The measures involved demographic questions, the Exercise Addiction Inventory to assess REA, and HGS assessments.ResultsWe found significant negative correlations between HGS and REA among Turkish female athletes competing in racquet and water sports (p < 0.05). In contrast, significant positive correlations emerged in team sports played with hands and target-based sports (p < 0.05). Statistically significant HGS-REA correlations were also observed among Turkish male athletes participating in gymnastics and esthetic sports (p < 0.05). Among Hungarian athletes, a significant HGS-REA correlation was found in male racquet sports athletes and female athletes engaged in combat sports (p < 0.05). Regardless of sports discipline, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed exclusively among Turkish female athletes (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe present study reveals that the correlations between HGS and the risk of REA may vary depending on country, sex, and type of sport. The findings indicate that HGS may be either positively or negatively associated with REA in specific sports disciplines.

ABSTRACT Background of the study: Badminton requires exceptional core strength, balance, and agility for optimal performance. Core stability is fundamental for powerful strokes, rapid directional changes, and injury prevention in racquet sports. This study compared the effectiveness of mat Pilates exercises versus traditional plank exercises on core muscle strength, dynamic balance, and agility in recreational badminton players. Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted over six months at Sports Complex, Peshawar, using convenience sampling. Twenty-eight recreational badminton players were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A received mat Pilates exercises while Group B performed traditional plank exercises. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after six weeks of intervention. Data analysis was performed using paired sample t-tests for within-group comparisons and independent t-tests for between-group analysis via SPSS-22. Results: Participants had a mean age of 19.86±2.70 years and BMI of 21.85±1.75 kg/m². Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in core muscle strength (p&lt;0.05) and agility (p&lt;0.05). Balance improvements were non-significant (p&gt;0.05) except in anterior and anterio-medial directions (p&lt;0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed. Conclusion: Both mat Pilates and traditional plank exercises effectively improved core strength and agility in recreational badminton players, with minimal impact on overall dynamic balance. Keywords: Balance, Core Stability, Exercise Movement Techniques, Racquet Sports, Rehabilitation.

Background. Badminton, a racquet sport that has gained global popularity, demands technical precision, tactical awareness, and exceptional physical fitness. Skills such as smashing, footwork, and minimizing errors are critical to success. However, the specific influence of age and gender on these metrics, especially among younger players, remains underexplored. Objectives. This study aimed to examine the effect of age and gender on key badminton performance metrics, including smash ability, footwork, and unforced errors, in order to identify developmental and demographic factors influencing skill acquisition and execution. Materials and methods. A quantitative descriptive study involved 24 athletes (aged 9–14) from the Wincorp badminton organization in Surakarta, Indonesia. Participants were grouped by age (9–10, 11–12, 13–14 years) and gender, ensuring equal representation. Over two months, data on smashing, lobbing, driving, footwork, and error rates were collected. Descriptive statistics and MANOVA analyzed differences, with a significance level set at p &lt; 0.05. Results. MANOVA revealed significant age-related effects on smashing (p = 0.000), footwork (p = 0.000), and error points (p = 0.000), with beginners (13–14 years) excelling in most metrics. Gender differences were also found to be substantial for smashing (p = 0.000), footwork (p = 0.000), and error points (p = 0.003), with males outperforming females in most categories. Interaction effects between age and gender were significant for smashing and footwork (p &lt; 0.05). However, no considerable differences were observed for netting and serving strokes across age or gender. Conclusions. The study indicates that age and gender significantly influence badminton performance metrics. Beginner athletes (13–14 years) demonstrated superior skills compared to younger groups, while males generally outperformed females. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring training programs by age and gender to optimize skill development and reduce performance gaps. Further studies should be performed to investigate biomechanical and psychological factors to refine coaching strategies.

Racquet sports require speed, agility, and hand-eye coordination, offering a variety of experiences to players of all ages across the globe. Several aspects of these games, such as ball velocities over 100 miles per hour in tennis and risk of collision in close quarters, pose dangerous conditions that predispose to craniofacial injury. Currently, there is limited evidence characterizing craniofacial injuries due to racquet sports. This study aims to address this gap using epidemiological data to better understand the presence and severity of injuries to inform safety guidelines for these sports. This study utilizes the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Database (NEISS) to follow a 10-year retrospective cohort design, analyzing craniofacial injury data resulting from racquet sports participation. Demographic variables such as age, ethnicity, and sex were then used to conduct comparative analyses to discern patterns across different racquet sports. Within the established time from 2014 to 2023, an estimated 55,940 craniofacial injuries due to racquet sports resulted in visits to US emergency departments. Males constituted the majority of patients in this analysis, representing 62.6% of the analysed population. The age distribution of injuries was bimodal, with the highest proportion of injuries occurring in 10-to-14-year-olds (18.2%). Head injuries represented the most prevalent anatomic location of injury (41.9%). The most prevalent diagnosis seen was lacerations (28.2%). Of all patients treated for lacerations, 75.8% were male, making it the most common injury type among male patients (33.8%). Females were more likely to sustain contusions/abrasions (29.0%) or internal injury (29.1%). This study emphasizes the burden of craniofacial injuries due to racquet sports and highlights the need for targeted injury reduction techniques. Findings of this analysis revealed a bimodal age distribution, sex-based disparities of injury patterns, and variations of injury rates across different racquet sports. Despite existing safety guidelines, this study has elucidated the persistence of craniofacial injuries, suggesting the need for increased compliance with guidelines and advancements in equipment design. There is an evident need for more data on sport-specific injuries to guide and develop more effective injury prevention strategies.

BackgroundGiven the limited research on plantar load distribution (PLD) and foot posture in squash players in recent years, this study aimed to investigate the foot characteristics of elite squash players undergoing extensive training and competition.Material/MethodsA cross-sectional study compared PLD, foot arch index (FAI), center of gravity, and rearfoot posture between 26 elite Taiwanese squash players and 33 age-matched college students, using the JC Mat optical plantar pressure analyzer (View Grand International Co, Ltd, Taiwan) and calcaneal angle measurements.ResultsThere were no significant differences in FAI between groups. Squash players exhibited symmetrical increases in PLD across the medial metatarsals (left: 23.68%±7.74%, P=0.005; right: 21.64%±7.73%, P=0.040) and lateral longitudinal arches (left: 20.49%±9.11%, P=0.000; right: 23.20%±7.33%, P=0.047), with relative reductions at the lateral metatarsals and heels. The center of gravity of their feet was symmetrical. Although the rearfoot angles were neutral (left: 2.63°±3.42°, P=0.000; right: 2.57°±3.46°, P=0.000), valgus angles of both feet were significantly greater than that of the controls.ConclusionsElite squash players in this study presented normal and symmetrical foot posture, with increased PLD across forefoot and midfoot, and exhibited well-balanced abilities. These findings highlight distinct foot patterns in squash compared with other racquet sports, providing a foundation for further research on shared biomechanical impacts and guidance for the development of squash-specific footwear designed to optimize load distribution and reduce injury risks.

This paper investigates unforced errors in tennis which is facilitated by a rich dataset. Descriptive analyses are carried out which studies the distribution of unforced error rates across professional tennis players, the identification of players with high and low rates, the relationship between rates and match winning percentage, the relationship between rates and aggressiveness (via hitting winners), the relationship between rates and touch number, and the study of rates versus time. Methods are then developed to assess the impact of unforced errors which are applicable to any racquet sport. We demonstrate the approach in the context of professional tennis with an investigation of the longstanding rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The value of the approach is that we can provide estimates of the points lost, games lost, sets lost and matches lost due to unforced errors. The methods are based on a bootstrapping procedure which also yields standard errors for the estimates. The approach is valuable in terms of player evaluation, and can also be used for training purposes where it is possible to assess the quantification of improvement based on fewer unforced errors.

Introduction. In racquet sports, players are particularly prone to a variety of musculoskeletal issues due to the repetitive and high-intensity nature of their movements, which can lead to overuse injuries, acute trauma, and chronic conditions. The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) is a comprehensive tool designed to assess a wide range of musculoskeletal health parameters, including pain, function, physical activity levels, and the impact of musculoskeletal issues on daily living. This study aims is developing and validating an Italian version of the MSK-HQ for tennis and padel players. Materials and methods. The study was conducted between May and September 2022. The simple study consists of athletes who practice padel, tennis, other sports and who do not practice at all. Each of the participants was administered the Italian version of the MSK-HQ for assessing the impact of musculoskeletal disorders during activities of daily living (ADL). Results. A total of 269 participants were recruited in this study, including 100 (37.2%) padel players and 50 (18.6%) tennis players. MSK-HQ showed, for padel players, a value at Cronbach’s alpha of 0.903 and for tennis players a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.868. Cross-cultural validity showed, between each of the cohorts of athletes and on the total score of the MSK-HQ, a P-value &lt; 0.001. Conclusions. In conclusion, the MSK-HQ can be used in relation to padel and tennis having a high level of internal consistency and validity.

BackgroundBadminton is the fastest racquet sport and a multidirectional game requiring physical fitness and mental alertness. The mind-body connection is necessary to improve performance in badminton. Players have 0.1 s to react to the opponent’s attack in the defensive position. During racquet conversion from forehand to backhand grip players face more difficulty and multiple factors affect the conversion time like joint range of motion, wrist flexibility, wrist muscle strength, and coordination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between quick grip change with coordination and reaction.MethodA totalA total of 60 participants (38 boys and 22 girls) badminton players in the age group of 10–20 years were included in the study based on the selection criteria. For conversion speed sudden change in the grip using a racquet, for eye-hand coordination wall ball toss test using a tennis ball, and for reaction ruler drop test. of 60 participants (38 boys and 22 girls) badminton players in the age group of 10–20 years were included in the study based on the selection criteria. For conversion speed sudden change in the grip using a racquet, for eye-hand coordination wall ball toss test using a tennis ball, and for reaction ruler drop test.ResultPearson correlation was used to analyze the data which shows a high correlation between conversion speed and coordination (r= 0.881, p < 0.001)and a strong negative correlation between conversion speed and reaction(r = −0.731, p < 0.001).ConclusionIt can be concluded from the results of this study that there is a strong correlation between conversion time and eye-hand coordination whereas conversion speed and reaction time have a strong and negative correlation. So, it shows when coordination improves conversion speed increases automatically but no such changes in the reaction case.