Exploring the Landscape of Disabilities among Players in Indian National Para Badminton Championship: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract Introduction: Para badminton has emerged as a vibrant and inclusive sport, offering athletes with physical impairments the opportunity to compete at the highest levels. The Indian National Para Badminton Championship provides a comprehensive view of the disability profile among the participating athletes. Materials and Methods: The study used data from tables that provided information on disability types by gender, disability types by state, impairment types by state, and medical diagnoses by state. The data were comprehensively analyzed to identify the patterns, trends, and regional variations. Results: A total of 436 participants were registered for the National Para badminton Championship in 2024. Of this cohort, 240 athletes who lacked international classification were included in the study. There were 193 male and 39 female participants. The North Zone had the highest representation, accounting for 44.5% of the participants, with Uttar Pradesh having the highest state-wise representation. Impaired muscle power was identified as the most common type of impairment among both male and female participants. Among male participants, SL4 was the most prevalent sporting class at 26.3%, whereas SU5 was the most common sporting class among female participants at 23.9%. Overall, SL4 emerged as the predominant sporting class across all four zones. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to addressing disability-related challenges in India, considering the regional variations in disability types, impairment types, and medical diagnoses. Targeted interventions and resource allocation at the state level can help improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and promote equitable access to services and support.