Evaluating the efficacy of integrated injury prevention strategy combined with education in adolescent badminton players with early sports specialisation: a randomised controlled trial protocol

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the high rate of injuries in adolescent players, particularly those who engage in early sports specialisation, and there is a need for more effective and integrated sports-specific strategies that can reduce the rate of injuries and improve physical performance in this population. The primary purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of an integrated injury prevention strategy combined with education versus conventional approaches in reducing injury rates, improving parental and coach awareness and enhancing physical performance in adolescent badminton players with early sports specialisation. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the integrated injury prevention strategy combined with the education or conventional approach group. The study will be conducted over 6 months, with measurements taken at baseline, and 6 months. The primary outcome measures will include injury rates, parental and coach awareness and physical performance. The results of this study will help determine whether the integrated approach can reduce injury rates, improve parent and coach awareness and enhance physical performance. Additionally, the study will assess the cost-effectiveness of the integrated approach and the level of player satisfaction. In conclusion, the outcomes of this randomised controlled trial will be useful for creating better injury prevention strategies for this group of athletes. This intervention trial is prospectively registered with Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI Number-CTRI/2024/12/078261).