Background Shoulder function and the prevalence of shoulder complaints in elite badminton are not well described.

Objective The aims of this study were to compare players who reported previous or present shoulder complaints with those players who did not. Shoulder function and shoulder problems were quantified. And the players reported influence on performance because of shoulder complaints.

Design A cross-sectional study.

Setting The study was taken place in the Danish National Centre of badminton, a total of 30 active elite badminton players were asked to participate.

Patients (or Participants) Sixteen elite badminton players volunteered to participate. All players were full time playing with a minimum of 12 hours of badminton training per week.

Interventions Self-reported shoulder injury profile was quantified for each player by use of two questionnaires (modified Fahlstrom questionnaire and Western Ontario Shoulder Index (WOSI)). Internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) shoulder strength and range of motion (ROM) were tested by use of Hand held dynamometer and Digital inclinometer.

Main Outcome Measurements Based on the questionnaires, participants were divided into either complaints (COM) or non-complaints (NCOM).

Results Nine players reported previous or present shoulder complaints (COM,) whereas seven players did not (NCOM,). All in the COM group reported changed training habits but only two players reported missed matches due to shoulder problems. No significant differences were observed in IR or ER shoulder strength between groups - i.e. IR: COM, 0.53±0.12 Nm vs. NCOM, 0.62±0.09 Nm and ER: COM, 0.48±0.12 Nm vs. NCOM, 0.57±0.09 Nm. No significant differences were observed in IR and ER ROM between groups; (58±8.4 vs. 60.0±9.3, and 101.8±15.7 vs. 96.4±18.3, respectively).

Conclusions This study indicates that shoulder problems do exist in elite badminton. Future studies should aim to develop validated outcome measures that can identify players with shoulder problems in elite badminton.