Injury Rehabilitation in Badminton: An Evidence-based Approach to Player Well-being- A Systematic Review

Abstract

Badminton, as a sport that demands speed, accuracy, and agility, often causes injuries to players. These injuries can reduce their quality of life and athletic careers. Therefore, effective and evidence-based injury rehabilitation is crucial for recovery and prevention of re-injury. This study aims to systematise the current evidence regarding injury rehabilitation methods in badminton and evaluate their effectiveness in supporting player well-being. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines; this study screened and analysed studies from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria included studies that evaluated injury rehabilitation programmes specifically for badminton players, with outcome measures of functional recovery, pain reduction, and prevention of re-injury. Quality assessment was conducted using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) tool, and data were extracted for thematic analysis. The results showed that a combination of physical therapy, strengthening exercises, and manual intervention techniques such as joint mobilisation and manipulation provided the most effective outcomes in injury rehabilitation. There is strong evidence supporting the use of proprioceptive training to prevent re-injury. Factors such as player age, initial injury severity, and adherence to the rehabilitation programme were shown to influence recovery success. This study concludes that the approach to injury rehabilitation in badminton should be multidisciplinary, integrating various physiotherapy techniques for optimal outcomes. The findings emphasise the importance of a tailored and evidence-based rehabilitation programme in supporting athletes' recovery and preventing possible future injuries. This study also suggests the need for further research to develop specific and standardised rehabilitation guidelines for badminton players.