This study aims to examine sports injuries among amateur badminton players engaged in recreational activities, establishing a foundation for developing effective injury prevention and training programs. We assessed 504 amateur badminton players (302 males, 202 females) competing in the 2023 National Badminton Tournament in South Korea. This study focused on players involved in doubles matches, omitting singles competitors. Participants were divided into categories based on competitive and training sessions to document the location and type of injuries sustained. During competitions, the most frequently injured body parts were the waist (11.92%), ankle (11.66%), and knees and shoulders (11.53% each). In training sessions, injuries primarily affected the back and knees (12.43%) and shoulders (12.21%). The most common types of injuries during competitions were to muscles (35.60%), ligaments (29.32%), and tendons (12.04%), and during training to muscles (39.91%), ligaments (26.68%), and tendons (13.23%). Injuries resulting from player-to-player contact represented 19.44% of cases, while those involving non-player elements such as facility equipment accounted for 16.47%. There is a critical need to develop targeted injury prevention programs for amateur badminton players to mitigate injuries and enhance performance, thereby helping prevent the progression to chronic injury stages.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to compare the risk factors associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in elite soccer and taekwondo players by examining landing error scoring system (LESS) scores and limb symmetry index (LSI).METHODS A total of 20 male athletes (10 soccer players and 10 taekwondo players) were evaluated. Participants completed a drop-landing task, and their landing mechanics were evaluated using the LESS. Muscle activation was measured with surface electrodes placed on the rectus femoris and biceps femoris. LSI values were calculated as a percentage based on muscle activation data, using the ratio of the nondominant limb to the dominant limb, to assess asymmetry.RESULTS Significant differences were observed between the two groups in knee valgus angle at initial contact (p=0.005), knee joint displacement (p=0.024), and overall impression (p=0.011). Notably, the soccer players demonstrated a significantly higher LESS score (total score, p=0.024) compared to the taekwondo players. However, no significant differences in LSI were found between the two groups.CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that elite male soccer players may benefit from targeted interventions, such as neuromuscular control training, to enhance joint stability and correct landing mechanics, compared to taekwondo players.

Background: We aimed to analyze the risk factors for injuries at different sites and tissues during competition and training, and to provide a scientific basis for the development of targeted injury prevention and rehabilitation programs for young athletes. Methods: Overall, 257 Korean youth track and field athletes in elementary, junior high, and senior high schools registered in the 2022 Korean Athletic Association were included in this study. The Pearson correlation coefficient and Contingency coefficient were used to analyze the correlation between injured site, injured tissue, training time per day, and training days per week during competition and training. Results: The lower extremity was the site with the highest injury rate (30.7% in competition vs 43.6% in training), and the ankle and knee had the highest risk of lower extremity injury. Muscles and tendons were the tissues with the highest injury rates (29.6% in competition vs 32.3% in training), and myositis was the main type of muscle and tendon injury. The incidence of injuries to body parts and tissues was higher during training than during competition (P<0.001). Conclusion: The probability and risk factors of sports injuries are different. Athletes with rich experience need correct sports techniques and reasonable exercise loads to avoid sports injuries. Contact and non-contact injuries are also a cause of sports injuries. Therefore, coaches and athletes need to fully understand the background of the injury and provide a scientific basis for the prevention of youth sports injuries.

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the relationships among the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), markerless 3D (OpenCap)-derived knee valgus, and surface electromyography (EMG) of quadriceps and hamstrings. Methods: Thirty-two healthy male university students (26 athletes, 6 non-athletes) completed a drop-landing task. LESS was video-scored; knee valgus at peak knee flexion was computed with OpenCap; and bilateral rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) EMG was recorded. Phase-specific EMG was normalized to peak dynamic activity. Results: LESS showed an independent negative association with left knee valgus (p = 0.001). In the regression model, bilateral BF acceleration-phase activity was a significant predictor of knee valgus (p < 0.05). Exploratory comparisons indicated that athletes exhibited lower RF deceleration activity and smaller left-side valgus than non-athletes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that hamstring activity during the transition phase is linked to knee alignment. This study demonstrates the complementary value of integrating LESS with markerless 3D motion capture, although caution is warranted when generalizing group differences due to the unequal sample size.

This study investigated the effects of an 8-week Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) program on lower-extremity muscle function and cognitive function in pre-frail older women. Sixty pre-frail older women aged 65 years and older were assigned to either an exercise group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The SSE program was performed twice weekly for 60 min over 8 weeks. Functional mobility was assessed using the Time Up and Go (TUG) test, balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), lower-extremity muscle strength using the 30 s Chair Stand Test, and cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Measurements were obtained at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Significant group × time interactions were observed for TUG (p < 0.001), lower-extremity muscle strength (p < 0.05), and MMSE (p < 0.001). The exercise group showed significant improvements in TUG, BBS, muscle strength, and MMSE values, whereas the control group showed no significant changes except for a slight change in TUG. TUG was significantly correlated with balance, muscle strength, and cognitive function. These findings suggest that an 8-week SSE program may improve selected physical function measures and global cognitive status, as assessed by the MMSE, in pre-frail older women.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify essential physical fitness factors required in modern pentathlon following the official introduction of the obstacle event by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) in 2025, using an expert consensus approach. The study specifically examined whether postural stability emerges as a key fitness determinant in obstacle event performance.METHODS A two-round Delphi survey was conducted. In Round 1, 39 modern pentathlon experts (national team head coaches, coaches, athletes, and academic researchers) evaluated the importance of ten fitness factors for the overall sport and specifically for the obstacle event, and the necessity of region-specific muscle strengthening. In Round 2, 24 panel members assessed content validity of three training program types. Consensus criteria were set at mean ≥ 4.0, median ≥ 4.0, and IQR ≤ 1.0.RESULTS For overall modern pentathlon, all ten fitness factors reached consensus, with cardiorespiratory endurance ranked highest (5.00 ± 0.00). For the obstacle event specifically, cardiorespiratory endurance was the only factor to fail consensus (3.86 ± 0.89, IQR = 2.0). Postural stability advanced from 9th (4.36 ± 0.76) to 5th rank (4.69 ± 0.46), and shoulder (4.86 ± 0.42) and wrist (4.77 ± 0.49) achieved full consensus (IQR = 0.0) for body region strengthening. In Round 2, circuit training (4.75 ± 0.84) and obstacle-specific training (4.66 ± 0.47) received the highest validity ratings.CONCLUSIONS The introduction of the obstacle event is shifting modern pentathlon’s fitness paradigm from a cardiorespiratory endurance-centered model to an integrated model emphasizing postural stability, agility, and upper-body strength. Future training design should integrate postural stability and functional core stability as central components.