| A rather common opinion about badminton is that it is | | | | shots in badminton. It usually begins as a lingering |
| one of the safest games possible-a fun, family game | | | | irritation in the shoulder known as an 'impingement |
| innocent of malice and devoid of any real danger of | | | | syndrome', which if left uncared for, worsens to |
| injury. Such notions are highly probable, given the | | | | develop partial tears in the rotator cuff muscles. |
| immense popularity of the game worldwide, as | | | | Further activity and stress can cause a complete tear |
| entertainment for children during playtime as well as a | | | | in one or more muscles in the area. |
| serious Olympic sport. | | | | Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction- The Sacroiliac Joint |
| However, contrary to popular opinion, badminton | | | | connects the sacrum at the base of the spine to the |
| players are also prone to injury-some so intense in | | | | ilium of the pelvic region. Continuous badminton playing |
| nature that they may take months to heal completely. | | | | with low core stability causes an anatomic issue in this |
| According to one study conducted by a | | | | joint, which results in chronic lower back pain. The |
| Denmark-based group of doctors and published in | | | | condition is known as Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and |
| 2006, badminton injuries occur at an average rate of | | | | affected players are advised to refer a physician for a |
| 2.9/person every 1000 hours of play time. Despite | | | | complete evaluation of the condition. |
| being a non-contact sport, where there is no physical | | | | Neck sprains- Focusing on the shuttlecock for long |
| contact between the opposing players, badminton | | | | durations and turning one's neck accordingly in various |
| injuries happen frequently-mostly due to over use of | | | | directions, can cause the neck to be extended beyond |
| certain parts of the body and sometimes because of | | | | the normal angles, especially while playing smashes |
| accidents happening suddenly and painfully. Mostly they | | | | and strikes around the head, thereby causing neck |
| occur in players who wear the wrong shoes, do not | | | | sprains. |
| warm-up, warm-up more than required, sport bad | | | | Cramps- A cramp can be described in a badminton |
| technique, are overweight or generally unfit. Injuries are | | | | player as a sudden and intense pain caused mainly in |
| witnessed in players who have not indulged in sport for | | | | the leg area due to major loss of fluid, overheating of |
| a while as well as in seasoned players who have | | | | the muscle and fatigue. Although the suddenness of a |
| overused body parts such as wrists, ankles, knees and | | | | cramp could warrant it to be placed in the "acute |
| elbows to name a few. | | | | injury" category, it is considered to be a chronic injury, |
| Acute/Accidental injuries: | | | | since it happens after playing badminton for a long |
| Ankle Sprains- Although still wanting in detailed | | | | time. |
| statistical studies, some research papers have shown | | | | Abrasions and blisters- Common yet less malignant as |
| that on an average, ankle sprains constitute more than | | | | compared to the rest of the above-mentioned |
| half of all reported badminton injuries. An ankles sprain | | | | conditions, abrasions occur mostly on the hands and |
| can be described as the stretching and or tearing of | | | | knees due to direct contact with hard surfaces when |
| ligaments and muscles in the ankle. In extreme cases, | | | | the player falls or scratches himself. Blisters occur due |
| there may also be damage to tendons, bones and | | | | to pus or fluid formation under the skin caused by |
| other joint tissues. The resulting bleeding within tissues | | | | extended periods of gripping a racquet, an abrasion |
| can cause sudden edema and swelling of the ankle, | | | | not being cleaned or healed properly and heels or toes |
| which in third degree sprains, often takes more than 6 | | | | being continually encased in shoes or being in direct |
| months to heal completely. Ankle sprains are | | | | contact with a hard surface for long periods. |
| accidental in 99% of the incidences and happen when | | | | Prevention and cure: |
| the player lands on his partner's foot or on the floor | | | | It would be wise to adhere to the oft heard rule in the |
| with his own foot turned inwards, outwards or flexed. | | | | exercise arena "You don't get fit to play a sport, you |
| The extremely quick directional changes required | | | | play a sport to get fit!" Therefore it is advisable for |
| during badminton, often cause the feet to roll over or | | | | badminton players of all ages and levels to take a few |
| twist, resulting in a sprained ankle. Fatigue, extra body | | | | important pre-game precautionary measures, which |
| weight and shoes with more than normal 'grip' are | | | | include but are not limited to increasing fitness levels, |
| frequent contributors to such injuries. | | | | better nutrition, decreasing weight, getting the proper |
| Meniscus Tear- This also goes by the layman-friendly | | | | shoes, grips and other attire, warming-up before |
| alias 'Torn Cartilage Knee Injury' and is as painful as a | | | | playing and improving playing technique. |
| sprained ankle. During the intricate footwork required | | | | One cannot stress enough the importance of a good |
| during a badminton game, the meniscus or cartilage, | | | | warm-up session before and cool-down session after |
| which provides a soft cushioning between the thigh | | | | a heavy game of badminton. A typical warm-up should |
| and shin bones, sometimes ruptures, causing pain in the | | | | include about 5-10 minutes of gentle jogging , spot |
| joint-line of the knee, swelling and inability to flex the leg | | | | walking or skipping, followed by short stretches of 30 |
| completely. This may sometimes also be accompanied | | | | seconds each, slightly longer stretches on the tighter |
| by an injured or totally ruptured ligament, which | | | | muscles ending with stretches for certain individual |
| increases the pain factor and healing time. Normally, | | | | muscle groups like shoulder, hamstring etc. If the player |
| the swelling and pain settles down easily for most | | | | wishes, he/she may also follow this with certain |
| people. However for some sportspersons, the knee | | | | specific exercise drills such as push-ups, sit-ups and |
| can become prone to knee locking or 'giving way', in | | | | the like. Stretching releases tension within muscles, |
| which case, surgery is required. | | | | allows freer movement and circulation and not only |
| Muscle Strain- Unexpected movements, such as a | | | | prepares the body for heavy-duty badminton, but also |
| sudden overhead smash, may put muscles in various | | | | the mind. Begin the game with around 5-20 minutes of |
| parts of the body under pressure, thereby causing a | | | | gentle shots with your partner and then gradually |
| disruption of fibres in the affected muscle. This can | | | | increase the pace and tempo of your game. Ideally |
| result in pain, swelling, bruising and in extreme case, loss | | | | one must end a game with cool down exercises and |
| of function. Muscles commonly affected are the | | | | stretches too. |
| hamstring, knee, shoulder and calf, to name a few. | | | | Shoes and grips especially are of utmost importance in |
| Ocular hurt- A Malaysian study reportedly called | | | | preventing ankle and elbow injuries respectively. |
| badminton the 'sport which presented the greatest | | | | Gripping a racquet too hard or long can bring on a |
| ocular hazard in Malaysia'. Another Canadian study | | | | Tennis Elbow, while wearing heavy grip non-supportive |
| backed up these claims saying that 30-58% of all eye | | | | shoes cause ankle sprains and Achilles Tendonitis. |
| injuries in Canada caused by racquet sports were | | | | To prevent elbow issues, take extra care to buy a |
| attributed to badminton. This may seem funny to a | | | | good quality racquet which fits precisely into the palm |
| layman, since a shuttlecock looks anything but devious, | | | | of your hand. Turn your racquet into a powerful, |
| with its lightweight feathery appearance, compared to | | | | injury-preventing instrument by adding more grip to the |
| the heavier balls used in tennis and squash. Although | | | | handle, taking care not to add too much to disrupt the |
| the frequency of eye injuries on an average is more in | | | | racquet balance. For those of you, who already have |
| squash than in badminton, the latter does account for | | | | suffered from Tennis Elbows before, it would make |
| injuries which are greater in severity. This is partly | | | | sense to wear a Tennis Elbow Compression Strap, |
| because the bottom round of the shuttlecock fits into | | | | which works by reducing tension on the elbow |
| the eye orbit and also because of the extremely high | | | | tendons. |
| speeds achieved during badminton. Badminton is widely | | | | Badminton requires the player to slide across the court |
| considered to be the fastest racquet sport in the world | | | | and hence it would be a good idea to get shoes which |
| and shuttlecocks have been known to reach speeds | | | | have a good arch support, shock absorbers to |
| of more than 300 km/hour. On 25 September 2009, | | | | prevent injury to the ankle, heel cups to keep the heel |
| Malaysia's Tan Boon Heong set the international | | | | protected and special soles which do not provide |
| smash record of 421 km/hour in the men's double's | | | | much room for friction with the ground below. Take |
| category at the Japan Open 2009. This is 1/3rd the | | | | care to buy a shoe which has a combination of these |
| speed of sound at sea level, so one can imagine the | | | | qualities in order to be assured of all rounded |
| effect of a shuttlecock travelling at that speed and | | | | protection. Never wear jogging or basketball shoes for |
| hitting one's eye. It would be painful to say the least. | | | | your badminton game and make sure you keep a pair |
| Fractures- Fractures are fairly rare in badminton, | | | | of good badminton shoes aside meant solely for |
| although some have been reported. They normally | | | | badminton. |
| happen when another player's racquet hits a player's | | | | A few other recommended products for badminton |
| arm or leg or if the player himself falls down heavily or | | | | injuries include orthotics and insoles, knee and Achilles |
| if another player missteps and falls/steps on him/her. | | | | straps, ankle braces, shoulder supports and blister |
| Chronic/overuse injuries: | | | | socks. |
| Achilles Tendonitis- Loosely defined, Achilles Tendonitis | | | | To prevent eye injuries, many research scientists |
| or Achilles Tendonipathy is an inflammation of the heel | | | | recommend that certified plastic polycarbonate |
| cord of the foot. In reference to badminton, it can be | | | | glasses be worn by beginners and experienced |
| described as a chronic degenerative change in the | | | | badminton players alike. |
| Achilles Tendon (a cord of inelastic tissue connecting | | | | Lastly, as a generic rule, make sure you are always |
| bone and muscle running from heel to calf) occurring | | | | well stocked up on water or isotonic sports drinks, |
| due to repetitive jumping and running, worsened by | | | | especially while playing badminton in hot weather, since |
| poor warm-up techniques. More common as one ages, | | | | like all other sports, badminton too tends to sap the |
| it also tends to worsen with activity. | | | | fluids and cause dehydration. |
| Tennis Elbow- Do not be mislead by the nomenclature | | | | When a badminton injury has already happened, quick |
| of this particular injury. Tennis Elbow is often seen in | | | | and correct procedures are essential for a speedy |
| sports other than tennis and very frequently among | | | | cure. In case of acute injuries like sudden sprains, |
| badminton players. The injury, known as Lateral | | | | strains and tears, the first step towards healing is |
| Epicondylosis among the medical fraternity, is a chronic | | | | correct diagnosis. This must be followed by the rest, |
| overuse injury which occurs due to the inflammation of | | | | ice, compression and elevation protocol which is |
| the tendons of the forearm on the outer part of the | | | | absolutely necessary for recovery. Special care must |
| elbow. Players who indulge in repetitive backhand | | | | be taken to keep weight off the injured area and |
| strikes are often subject to Tennis Elbows. Change of | | | | lengthy periods of rehabilitation are a must. In case of a |
| grip size, lack of recovery and excess stretching tend | | | | sprained ankle a removable plastic cast walker may |
| to make them worse. | | | | be necessary to provide the required support. Tennis |
| Golfer's Elbow- This particular injury is similar to Tennis | | | | Elbows can usually be alleviated by rest and ice |
| Elbow in mostly all respects except for the location of | | | | therapy, but in the more severe cases, pain relief and |
| the injury. While Tennis Elbow causes inflammation on | | | | anti inflammatory medication and sometimes |
| the outer part of the elbow, Golfer's Elbow usually | | | | corticosteroid injections are required. Golfer's Elbow on |
| occurs on the inner side of the elbow with the pain | | | | the other hand is usually treated with tape, elbow |
| sometimes radiating along the forearm. It is also a | | | | guards, manual therapy and stretching. When Achilles |
| chronic degenerative problem, mainly caused by an | | | | Tendonitis occurs, ice packs are normally helpful, but a |
| overuse of the wrist. | | | | minimum rest period of three months is required for the |
| Jumper's Knee- As the name suggests, this injury | | | | body to produce the collagen tissue in order to repair |
| often comes on due to repeated jumping on hard | | | | the injured tendon. |
| surfaces. Known in medical terms as Patellar | | | | Sounds scary? It doesn't have to be! Badminton can |
| Tendonitis, the Patella Tendon located below the knee | | | | continue to be a fun sport for all those who have even |
| cap is affected over a long period of jumping and | | | | a smidgen of interest in it. The fear of injury need not |
| landing during badminton. Activity normally worsens the | | | | come into the picture at all, if the necessary |
| tendon damage and a rupture may sometimes follow | | | | precautions are taken and if players choose to keep |
| with lack of rest | | | | themselves intelligently informed about the protocols to |
| Rotator cuff injury- The most prominent shoulder injury | | | | be followed- in case of injury. |
| to affect badminton players over time, typically a | | | | Keep the shuttlecock flying fearlessly and treat |
| rotator cuff injury is brought on over time by repeated | | | | yourself to a great injury-free badminton blast! |
| stress to the shoulder area while playing overhead | | | | |