The effects of playing two consecutive matches in the shoulder rotational profiles of elite youth badminton players

Abstract

Alterations in the shoulder range of motion (ROM) and strength levels affect performance in racket sports. However, the changes in these variables have not been measured during a badminton competition. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of playing two badminton matches on the same day on the shoulder profile (i.e., ROM and strength) of young badminton players. Thirty-one elite junior badminton players (age 16.6 ± 1.0 years, body mass 63.9 ± 6.1 kg, height 174.8 ± 6.1 cm), including 19 boys and 12 girls, underwent two experimental trials before and after a competition that included two competitive badminton matches during an international tournament. Results showed significant decreases (p < 0.05) in the shoulder ROM (i.e., dominant and non-dominant ER ROMs as well as in the dominant and non-dominant total arc of motion (TAM)) in boys, while in girls, significant increases were found in the non-dominant ER absolute strength, with significant decreases were found in the non-dominant ER ROM and the non-dominant TAM. These data indicate that playing two badminton matches on the same day led to gender-specific changes on the shoulder profile (i.e., ROM and strength) of young elite badminton players, with more impact on the shoulder profile of boys compared to girls.