Tuesday, 7 December 2010

The Shoe Series - Badminton Shoes

Badminton shoes are vital for mobility and comfort. Badminton footwear has all the features and technology required during court performance. Various forms of badminton footwear is available in several colors, incorporating features which you may not observe in ordinary street shoes. The versatility of badminton shoes has made them popular and all-round footwear.

Description and Features

Advanced badminton footwear feature ergoshape and power cushion features. A shock absorber, badminton shoes are cushioned and lined within the shoe beneath the foot heel. The main purpose of power cushion is not just to absorb shock of movement, but also reverse the impact to smoothly flow into the next movement.
Ergoshape is another feature which badminton footwear come with. It denotes the shape in which the shoes are crafted. It is a contour which permits shoes to be more stable and comfortable and the shoe's forefoot area. Power cushion insole also offers additional support allowing you to maintain momentum while laterally moving across the court. Lateral movements are highly essential in a badminton game.

Double Russell mesh is eight times more breathable and ultra fine with better exchange of air. It reduces moisture and sweat which may build in the shoes causing blisters and making you uncomfortable. When looking for best badminton shoes, maximum moisture release is a great feature.

Maintenance and Purchase Options

Badminton footwear offers good performance, don't require a high maintenance and are easily cleaned with a towel. You can either wash the badminton shoes with hand or with the help of a machine.

Purchasing badminton footwear is simple. Look for specifications suiting your requirements. Better go in for water proof badminton shoes. If you wish to purchase them at a discount, select the online ones. For more information, you can seek assistance from your friends and relatives. Look for comfortability and flexibility quotient.


For more information, visit shoeidiot.com. They offer a variety of Shoes including Michael Jordan Shoes and Harley Davidson Boots.

Monday, 6 December 2010

Shuttlecock Woes - A Layman's Guide to Common Badminton Injuries

A rather common opinion about badminton is that it is one of the safest games possible-a fun, family game innocent of malice and devoid of any real danger of injury. Such notions are highly probable, given the immense popularity of the game worldwide, as entertainment for children during playtime as well as a serious Olympic sport.

However, contrary to popular opinion, badminton players are also prone to injury-some so intense in nature that they may take months to heal completely. According to one study conducted by a Denmark-based group of doctors and published in 2006, badminton injuries occur at an average rate of 2.9/person every 1000 hours of play time. Despite being a non-contact sport, where there is no physical contact between the opposing players, badminton injuries happen frequently-mostly due to over use of certain parts of the body and sometimes because of accidents happening suddenly and painfully. Mostly they occur in players who wear the wrong shoes, do not warm-up, warm-up more than required, sport bad technique, are overweight or generally unfit. Injuries are witnessed in players who have not indulged in sport for a while as well as in seasoned players who have overused body parts such as wrists, ankles, knees and elbows to name a few.

Acute/Accidental injuries:

Ankle Sprains- Although still wanting in detailed statistical studies, some research papers have shown that on an average, ankle sprains constitute more than half of all reported badminton injuries. An ankles sprain can be described as the stretching and or tearing of ligaments and muscles in the ankle. In extreme cases, there may also be damage to tendons, bones and other joint tissues. The resulting bleeding within tissues can cause sudden edema and swelling of the ankle, which in third degree sprains, often takes more than 6 months to heal completely. Ankle sprains are accidental in 99% of the incidences and happen when the player lands on his partner's foot or on the floor with his own foot turned inwards, outwards or flexed. The extremely quick directional changes required during badminton, often cause the feet to roll over or twist, resulting in a sprained ankle. Fatigue, extra body weight and shoes with more than normal 'grip' are frequent contributors to such injuries.


Meniscus Tear- This also goes by the layman-friendly alias 'Torn Cartilage Knee Injury' and is as painful as a sprained ankle. During the intricate footwork required during a badminton game, the meniscus or cartilage, which provides a soft cushioning between the thigh and shin bones, sometimes ruptures, causing pain in the joint-line of the knee, swelling and inability to flex the leg completely. This may sometimes also be accompanied by an injured or totally ruptured ligament, which increases the pain factor and healing time.

Normally, the swelling and pain settles down easily for most people. However for some sportspersons, the knee can become prone to knee locking or 'giving way', in which case, surgery is required.


Muscle Strain- Unexpected movements, such as a sudden overhead smash, may put muscles in various parts of the body under pressure, thereby causing a disruption of fibres in the affected muscle. This can result in pain, swelling, bruising and in extreme case, loss of function. Muscles commonly affected are the hamstring, knee, shoulder and calf, to name a few.


Ocular hurt- A Malaysian study reportedly called badminton the 'sport which presented the greatest ocular hazard in Malaysia'. Another Canadian study backed up these claims saying that 30-58% of all eye injuries in Canada caused by racquet sports were attributed to badminton. This may seem funny to a layman, since a shuttlecock looks anything but devious, with its lightweight feathery appearance, compared to the heavier balls used in tennis and squash. Although the frequency of eye injuries on an average is more in squash than in badminton, the latter does account for injuries which are greater in severity. This is partly because the bottom round of the shuttlecock fits into the eye orbit and also because of the extremely high speeds achieved during badminton. Badminton is widely considered to be the fastest racquet sport in the world and shuttlecocks have been known to reach speeds of more than 300 km/hour. On 25 September 2009, Malaysia's Tan Boon Heong set the international smash record of 421 km/hour in the men's double's category at the Japan Open 2009. This is 1/3rd the speed of sound at sea level, so one can imagine the effect of a shuttlecock travelling at that speed and hitting one's eye. It would be painful to say the least.


Fractures- Fractures are fairly rare in badminton, although some have been reported. They normally happen when another player's racquet hits a player's arm or leg or if the player himself falls down heavily or if another player missteps and falls/steps on him/her.


Chronic/overuse injuries:

Achilles Tendonitis- Loosely defined, Achilles Tendonitis or Achilles Tendonipathy is an inflammation of the heel cord of the foot. In reference to badminton, it can be described as a chronic degenerative change in the Achilles Tendon (a cord of inelastic tissue connecting bone and muscle running from heel to calf) occurring due to repetitive jumping and running, worsened by poor warm-up techniques. More common as one ages, it also tends to worsen with activity.


Tennis Elbow- Do not be mislead by the nomenclature of this particular injury. Tennis Elbow is often seen in sports other than tennis and very frequently among badminton players. The injury, known as Lateral Epicondylosis among the medical fraternity, is a chronic overuse injury which occurs due to the inflammation of the tendons of the forearm on the outer part of the elbow. Players who indulge in repetitive backhand strikes are often subject to Tennis Elbows. Change of grip size, lack of recovery and excess stretching tend to make them worse.


Golfer's Elbow- This particular injury is similar to Tennis Elbow in mostly all respects except for the location of the injury. While Tennis Elbow causes inflammation on the outer part of the elbow, Golfer's Elbow usually occurs on the inner side of the elbow with the pain sometimes radiating along the forearm. It is also a chronic degenerative problem, mainly caused by an overuse of the wrist.


Jumper's Knee- As the name suggests, this injury often comes on due to repeated jumping on hard surfaces.


Known in medical terms as Patellar Tendonitis, the Patella Tendon located below the knee cap is affected over a long period of jumping and landing during badminton. Activity normally worsens the tendon damage and a rupture may sometimes follow with lack of rest

Rotator cuff injury- The most prominent shoulder injury to affect badminton players over time, typically a rotator cuff injury is brought on over time by repeated stress to the shoulder area while playing overhead shots in badminton. It usually begins as a lingering irritation in the shoulder known as an 'impingement syndrome', which if left uncared for, worsens to develop partial tears in the rotator cuff muscles. Further activity and stress can cause a complete tear in one or more muscles in the area.


Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction- The Sacroiliac Joint connects the sacrum at the base of the spine to the ilium of the pelvic region. Continuous badminton playing with low core stability causes an anatomic issue in this joint, which results in chronic lower back pain. The condition is known as Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and affected players are advised to refer a physician for a complete evaluation of the condition.


Neck sprains- Focusing on the shuttlecock for long durations and turning one's neck accordingly in various directions, can cause the neck to be extended beyond the normal angles, especially while playing smashes and strikes around the head, thereby causing neck sprains.


Cramps- A cramp can be described in a badminton player as a sudden and intense pain caused mainly in the leg area due to major loss of fluid, overheating of the muscle and fatigue. Although the suddenness of a cramp could warrant it to be placed in the "acute injury" category, it is considered to be a chronic injury, since it happens after playing badminton for a long time.


Abrasions and blisters- Common yet less malignant as compared to the rest of the above-mentioned conditions, abrasions occur mostly on the hands and knees due to direct contact with hard surfaces when the player falls or scratches himself. Blisters occur due to pus or fluid formation under the skin caused by extended periods of gripping a racquet, an abrasion not being cleaned or healed properly and heels or toes being continually encased in shoes or being in direct contact with a hard surface for long periods.



Prevention and cure:


It would be wise to adhere to the oft heard rule in the exercise arena "You don't get fit to play a sport, you play a sport to get fit!" Therefore it is advisable for badminton players of all ages and levels to take a few important pre-game precautionary measures, which include but are not limited to increasing fitness levels, better nutrition, decreasing weight, getting the proper shoes, grips and other attire, warming-up before playing and improving playing technique.

One cannot stress enough the importance of a good warm-up session before and cool-down session after a heavy game of badminton. A typical warm-up should include about 5-10 minutes of gentle jogging , spot walking or skipping, followed by short stretches of 30 seconds each, slightly longer stretches on the tighter muscles ending with stretches for certain individual muscle groups like shoulder, hamstring etc. If the player wishes, he/she may also follow this with certain specific exercise drills such as push-ups, sit-ups and the like.

Stretching releases tension within muscles, allows freer movement and circulation and not only prepares the body for heavy-duty badminton, but also the mind. Begin the game with around 5-20 minutes of gentle shots with your partner and then gradually increase the pace and tempo of your game. Ideally one must end a game with cool down exercises and stretches too.

Shoes and grips especially are of utmost importance in preventing ankle and elbow injuries respectively. Gripping a racquet too hard or long can bring on a Tennis Elbow, while wearing heavy grip non-supportive shoes cause ankle sprains and Achilles Tendonitis.

To prevent elbow issues, take extra care to buy a good quality racquet which fits precisely into the palm of your hand. Turn your racquet into a powerful, injury-preventing instrument by adding more grip to the handle, taking care not to add too much to disrupt the racquet balance. For those of you, who already have suffered from Tennis Elbows before, it would make sense to wear a Tennis Elbow Compression Strap, which works by reducing tension on the elbow tendons.

Badminton requires the player to slide across the court and hence it would be a good idea to get shoes which have a good arch support, shock absorbers to prevent injury to the ankle, heel cups to keep the heel protected and special soles which do not provide much room for friction with the ground below. Take care to buy a shoe which has a combination of these qualities in order to be assured of all rounded protection. Never wear jogging or basketball shoes for your badminton game and make sure you keep a pair of good badminton shoes aside meant solely for badminton.

A few other recommended products for badminton injuries include orthotics and insoles, knee and Achilles straps, ankle braces, shoulder supports and blister socks.

To prevent eye injuries, many research scientists recommend that certified plastic polycarbonate glasses be worn by beginners and experienced badminton players alike.

Lastly, as a generic rule, make sure you are always well stocked up on water or isotonic sports drinks, especially while playing badminton in hot weather, since like all other sports, badminton too tends to sap the fluids and cause dehydration.

When a badminton injury has already happened, quick and correct procedures are essential for a speedy cure. In case of acute injuries like sudden sprains, strains and tears, the first step towards healing is correct diagnosis. This must be followed by the rest, ice, compression and elevation protocol which is absolutely necessary for recovery. Special care must be taken to keep weight off the injured area and lengthy periods of rehabilitation are a must. In case of a sprained ankle a removable plastic cast walker may be necessary to provide the required support. Tennis Elbows can usually be alleviated by rest and ice therapy, but in the more severe cases, pain relief and anti inflammatory medication and sometimes corticosteroid injections are required. Golfer's Elbow on the other hand is usually treated with tape, elbow guards, manual therapy and stretching. When Achilles Tendonitis occurs, ice packs are normally helpful, but a minimum rest period of three months is required for the body to produce the collagen tissue in order to repair the injured tendon.

Sounds scary? It doesn't have to be! Badminton can continue to be a fun sport for all those who have even a smidgen of interest in it. The fear of injury need not come into the picture at all, if the necessary precautions are taken and if players choose to keep themselves intelligently informed about the protocols to be followed- in case of injury.

Keep the shuttlecock flying fearlessly and treat yourself to a great injury-free badminton blast!


Shreyasi is a Singapore-based full time business journalist covering the South Asian steel and raw materials industry for a London-headquartered global steel information company. When she is not working, she spends her time as a freelance writer, thinker, poet, singer, swimmer and wildlife enthusiast. She loves to travel, read and write about anything under the sun, although, animals, wildlife, health, spirituality and paranormal phenomena are her top favorites. For more information and samples of her writing, please visit http://shreyasi-dreamweaver.blogspot.com/

Sunday, 5 December 2010

Spalding Power Play Badminton Set

Badminton is one of the most famous games in the history of the Olympics. Its popularity immense during the formation of the International Badminton Federation or IBF, as several championship games were held further. This is way back in the year 1934. Then it later, turned out to be a certified Olympic sport in the year 1992.

Choosing the right product

What badminton equipment is suitable for huge tournaments like the Olympics? Of course, they must be the best and must be of excellent quality. Knowing that it would be utilized by exemplary badminton players, it surely is going to be a power play. And for power plays, ordinary badminton sets are not recommended nor should be accepted.

Therefore, you might as well purchase the product that would compensate the level of skills showcased in the play. This matter should not be taken for granted, especially if you are the one who facilitates the game proper. This would greatly affect your integrity and credibility as a game facilitator.

If you are interested in buying such kind of badminton set for tournaments, then try to mull over a substantial brand called the Spalding Power Play Badminton Set. This comprised of the first-class badminton equipment set, specifically designed for power plays - such as the major badminton tournaments.

The Power Play Badminton Set Features

Deliberating the important features the product offers is necessary prior to confirming the purchase. They are as follow:

o Rackets
o They are not just ordinary but rather those that are with tempered steel shafts. In addition, each racket has grommets and padded grips. The set contains 4 rackets of this type.
o Net
o The net is also uniquely designed to serve such purpose. It is going to be a net sleeve design, which measures up to 20' by 1 to 1/2' long. This is good enough to set as the standard badminton net dimension.
o Shuttlecocks
o The shuttlecocks in this package are those that are molded weather resistant. The set contains two of the said type, designed to last longer.
o Poles
o As the strong point that supports the net, the poles in this set are those that are officially and creatively designed for power plays. They are the octagon telescoping PVC poles with a height of 51, which is the official height of a badminton posts.
o Carrying bag
o This is the black bag. The color black is used to distinguish such kind of power play set.
o Other essential features
o These are added items in the set other than the basics: The rules and assembly instructions of the game, as well as a court marking kit.

The Spalding Power Play is a special "full-badminton-set" that gives you everything you need in a single package. The price may be a lot higher compared to the ordinary sets for recreational purposes but it does not and should not matter.

The bottom line is that you are provided with the highest- level of quality and absolute facilities, necessary. Hence, you obtained the best-value package for your money, have more fun and take pleasure in viewing the tournament. http://www.badmintonset.org can provide you more information about badminton set!

Saturday, 4 December 2010

The Shoe Series - Badminton Shoes

Badminton shoes are vital for mobility and comfort. Badminton footwear has all the features and technology required during court performance. Various forms of badminton footwear is available in several colors, incorporating features which you may not observe in ordinary street shoes. The versatility of badminton shoes has made them popular and all-round footwear.

Description and Features

Advanced badminton footwear feature ergoshape and power cushion features. A shock absorber, badminton shoes are cushioned and lined within the shoe beneath the foot heel. The main purpose of power cushion is not just to absorb shock of movement, but also reverse the impact to smoothly flow into the next movement.

Ergoshape is another feature which badminton footwear come with. It denotes the shape in which the shoes are crafted. It is a contour which permits shoes to be more stable and comfortable and the shoe's forefoot area. Power cushion insole also offers additional support allowing you to maintain momentum while laterally moving across the court. Lateral movements are highly essential in a badminton game.

Double Russell mesh is eight times more breathable and ultra fine with better exchange of air. It reduces moisture and sweat which may build in the shoes causing blisters and making you uncomfortable. When looking for best badminton shoes, maximum moisture release is a great feature.

Maintenance and Purchase Options

Badminton footwear offers good performance, don't require a high maintenance and are easily cleaned with a towel. You can either wash the badminton shoes with hand or with the help of a machine.
Purchasing badminton footwear is simple. Look for specifications suiting your requirements. Better go in for water proof badminton shoes. If you wish to purchase them at a discount, select the online ones. For more information, you can seek assistance from your friends and relatives. Look for comfortability and flexibility quotient.

For more information, visit shoeidiot.com. They offer a variety of Shoes including Michael Jordan Shoes and Harley Davidson Boots.

Friday, 3 December 2010

Tips For Choosing a Badminton Set

Amongst the various sports played, badminton is one of the no-fuss sports where anyone of all ages can enjoy the game without the need of any professional training. It helps one to relax and unwind. This game can be played indoors or outdoors. As a matter of fact, you can practically play badminton anywhere, even your very own backyard. Perhaps that is why most families usually have a badminton set at home.

The first and most important equipment in this game is the badminton racket, as badminton is a racket sport. Another equally important item is the shuttlecock. You cannot possibly play the game without either one of the mentioned equipments. These two items form the basic badminton set. And as you take the game more seriously, there will be other necessities to look into.

Badminton rackets come in different sizes, weight and prices. While some rackets are specially designed for professional badminton players, casual players still have a very wide range to choose from. The golden rule in choosing a racket is not based on getting the most expensive racket or the cheapest one. It is recommended to get a racket that is suitable to your style of playing and, of course, fits snugly into your budget as well.

The next equally important item in a badminton set is the shuttlecock. They too, similar to the rackets, come in a wide range but basically there are only two types of shuttlecocks, namely the feathered ones and plastic ones. Generally most people prefer the feathered ones when compared to the plastic ones although the durability of plastic shuttlecocks is stronger and more lasting. Another difference between the two shuttlecocks is the feeling produced upon the point of impact. Nevertheless, while the plastic shuttles are gaining popularity in the recent years, the feathered ones are used officially in all International badminton tournaments.

Next will be the badminton strings. A badminton set usually provides two types of strings, the thick strings and the thin ones. The thick strings are more durable when compared to the thin ones. The latter which are the thin strings are often sought after by players who wish to experience more power in their rackets. So, just like the rackets, the ultimate choice is largely based on personal preference. Besides all these items, a net is also required although when one plays the game casually, the net is not being used.


Lastly, a badminton set usually comes with a pair of rackets, shuttles and badminton strings. Other accessories which include shoes, shorts, jerseys and caps will set the package apart from the common badminton set. Prices will be based on the number of items required in the set as well as the product brand. It is wise to scout around for a good buy as in value for your money. A good comparison of badminton set can be found in this website http://www.badmintonset.org

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Yonex Badminton Rackets - Are They The Best?

Yonex Badminton rackets are used by more top players than any other manufacturer. Yonex are the dominant force in badminton today. The question is, are they the best?

The latest Yonex racket is the ArcSaber 10 and it retails at around £160, which just about makes it the most expensive badminton racket ever made. Other top end Yonex rackets are the Armortec series and the Nano speed series. The muscle power series are also still going strong. Prices for these rackets range from around £80 to £110, which is a significant amount of money to invest in a badminton racket.

In my opinion, Yonex badminton rackets are quality products, but i do think the prices are a bit too high.

There is no fun in breaking your badminton racket in a clash with your partners racket, especially when your new bat has just set you back over £100. This happens time and again, and no warranty on this earth will cover accidental damage. I know this from personal experience, and at that moment, no racket is worth the money, especially if only your racket has broke.

I have used many Yonex badminton rackets over the years, from the early CAB 8DX, CAB 20 and CAB 21. The CAB 21 is one of my favourite rackets of all time, an absolute classic. I then moved to the Yonex Aerotus series, which proved to be a big disappointment. I had 3 of these and they all snapped, and not on someone elses racket i might add.

After this bad experience i started to use Carlton badminton rackets, and i can say that they are excellent badminton rackets. If you are looking for an alternative to Yonex badminton rackets then i recommend giving Carlton a try. I still use the Carlton Airblade Tour, as well as Yonex rackets.

Yonex has now got strong competition in the west. Wilson and Head are now bringing out more and more badminton rackets. With a proven track record in tennis, they are now putting their expertise into badminton. This can only benefit us players, and variety is the spice of life.

However, in the far east, Yonex dominates. They have a larger selection of rackets that cater for all standards. They have been producing badminton rackets or longer than the other companies, and are always at the forefront of technology. The ArcSaber range is proof that they do not rest on their laurels.

Yonex badminton rackets are probably the best you can get. The fact that you can see almost every top ranked badminton player using their equipment adds to their reputation. After all, if they are good enough for the best players they must surely be good enough for us,right?


You can learn more about yonex badminton rackets plus help and advice on choosing a badminton racket

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

Badminton Training Tips To Improve Your Skill

Essentially, badminton training depend on the require of each badminton players. The instruction for kids who just started to learn badminton is likely just for getting fun with little technique in the beginning. But for players who want to be a pro player required higher commitment to the game and willing to learn numerous potential training types that will effect its degree of competitiveness.
When it comes for badminton training, plainly it's separated into on-court and off-court exercise. On-court physical exercise meaning by doing badminton movements utilizing a racket and shuttlecocks (rely on the goal you have set before). Off-court physical exercise meaning additional work that has a goal to improve some aspects of health and fitness and supporting on-court physical exercise.
By carry on reading this article, you will discover the essential of badminton instruction plan along with exercise selection and instruction developments. The crucial to become a successful player depend on the seriousness of instruction program that he or she followed. Your skill will enhance dramatically if you stick to all of the guidelines and practice it.
You need a great badminton training program that help you increase your stamina, power and master your badminton skills. You also have to make certain that your instruction will deliver you to the correct path of enhancing your game skill.
Badminton Training Concepts
In common, badminton training plan will focus on building your wrist flexors and also the endurance. These two parts are very crucial for the player. Many movements within the badminton game depend on the energy of one's wrist flexors.
Hitting a shuttlecock is always using your wrist, so if you have a weak wrist will effect towards the game. Great endurance will advantage you when you have to move backwards and forwards throughout the court during the game.
Cardiovascular Workouts
Cardio exercise is a very basic training and need to be a part of every training session.
You should operate at minimum of 45 minutes of intense cardiovascular physical exercise every session in your badminton training program.
The purpose of this exercise would be to improve your pulse and maintain it up for some time period. This physical exercise is good so that you can keep your performance on best form.
Strength Training
The badminton training program should provide some exercises to assist building the two upper and lower body. You need to make certain in strength training you get workouts that will reinforce your wrist and arms.
You may use weights in your training. Stretching can also be part of one's training plan.
Mastery Training
Your badminton training must include plan to create your badminton technique.
Some fundamental movements are swings and serves. To become capable to perform it you need to exercise with your companion a number of times a week.
You can practice alone. It's good for focusing on specific technique, but exercise with your partner will help you to learn more about badminton tactics which you use in real game.
Individuals instruction earlier mentioned are badminton training program that cover all the necessary components for you to be better player. Missing one part can influence your overall performance and your game.
Basically, badminton game combines a factor of health and fitness and skill technique. You need to make sure your badminton training program includes all cardio, strength and mastery training so you can be in your best play possible.

About the Author

Fredy Siswanto is a local veteran badminton player who loves to share his experience to everyone during his best career in badminton. Badminton Shots and Badminton Tipsare among of his favorite blogs. Visit his blogs to find more interesting and related articles.