Prevalence, patterns and factors associated with injury: comparison between elite Malaysian able-bodied and para-badminton players

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine and compare the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with injury between elite Malaysian able-bodied and para-badminton players. METHODS: Medical records from July 2007 to December 2017 were reviewed. RESULTS: Among 209 able-bodied players, 1010 injuries were reported. The injuries affected the lower limb (67.2%), sustained during training (94.2%), overuse in nature (38.7%), and involving mostly junior players (62.4%). The injury rate was 94/year, lower than previously reported. Patellar tendinopathy and muscle strain to the upper limb and torso were the commonest. Age, sex and history of injury were predictors of injury. Lower limb injury was a predictor of upper limb and torso injuries, while history of injury to the upper limb and/or torso was a predictor of lower limb injury. Meanwhile, among 18 para-badminton players, 62 injuries were reported from July 2014 to December 2017, which involved the lower limb (45.2%), sustained during training (87.1%), overuse in nature (54.8%), and involved mostly standing-class players (77.8%). The injury rate was 10/year. Patellar tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy and back muscle strain were the commonest. The patterns of injury (site, occasion and nature) were similar between groups, except for the shoulder where nature was overuse in para-badminton players compared to acute in able-bodied players. CONCLUSIONS: All players are susceptible to training-related injuries, particularly to the lower limb. Over the last decade, an increase in the injury index for the lower limb and a shift from chronic to acute for the upper limb were observed among able-bodied players. Age, sex and history of injury expose able-bodied players to greater risk. Meanwhile, for para-badminton players, overuse shoulder and knee injuries are commonest. These findings necessitate a comprehensive injury prevention program that encompasses all body regions with an emphasis on the lower limb among elite Malaysian able-bodied and para-badminton players.