Impact of holding a badminton racket on spatiotemporal parameters during manual wheelchair propulsion based on forward and backward propulsion

This study evaluates the impact of a badminton racket on forward and backward propulsion in wheelchair badminton, aiming to discern if this impact varies between propulsion directions. Nineteen experienced wheelchair badminton players underwent propulsion tests with and without a badminton racket. In forward propulsion when comparing the same hand with and without a racket, the badminton racket distinctly alters propulsion technique parameters depending on the propulsion direction. It increases sprint time by 4% to 5% and reduces mean, maximum, and peak velocities by 3% to 8% regardless of propulsion direction. Deceleration is also diminished by 9% to 11% with the racket in both directions, potentially decreasing overall performance. However, the comparison of data between the hand with a racket and the opposite hand without a racket did not reveal enough significant results to establish a negative effect of the racket. Notably, while the impact of the racket differs between propulsion directions, there is no significant difference in the effect between forward and backward propulsion. The use of a badminton racket influences propulsion technique parameters differently based on the propulsion direction (decrease in propulsion phase time during forward propulsion and the opposite during backward propulsion) and increases performance parameters such as velocity and deceleration consistently across both directions when comparing the same hand with and without a badminton racket. However, the direction of propulsion does not amplify the racket's effect. These findings underscore the importance for wheelchair badminton players to consider equipment effects on performance in both propulsions.