Association Between Rotational Strength Of Shoulder And Forearm Muscles With Wrist Function In Backhand Stroke Among Recreational Badminton Players

Badminton is a high-speed racquet sport that requires rapid and repetitive upper-limb movements, particularly during overhead and backhand strokes, and recreational players are reported to sustain more upper-limb injuries than professionals. Efficient execution of the backhand stroke depends on optimal strength balance within the kinetic chain involving the shoulder, forearm, and wrist; however, limited research has examined the relationship between shoulder and forearm strength and its association with wrist function in badminton players. This cross-sectional aims to investigate the relationship between shoulder and forearm strength and wrist function, measured using the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE), in recreational badminton players aged 18–25 years. Maximal isometric strength of shoulder internal and external rotators and forearm pronators and supinators muscles will be assessed using a handheld dynamometer in neutral and functional position. The primary outcome will be the maximal isometric strength ratio of shoulder and forearm muscles, and the secondary outcome will be the PRWHE score. The findings are expected to provide insight into the strength balance required for efficient backhand stroke performance and may help in developing targeted training and injury prevention strategies for recreational badminton players, while contributing to existing knowledge on badminton biomechanics and upper-limb kinetic chain function.