A scoping review on the biomechanical effect of the wearable resistance interventions: Implications for badminton-specific performance

Wearable resistance (WR) is used across multiple sport disciplines to add sport-specific mechanical loading during athletic movements. This review aimed to map the breadth of WR application across sports, and evaluate the biomechanical effects on sports-specific tasks to elicit its relevance to badminton-specific performance. A systematic database search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews and Arksey and O’Malley guidelines. Of the 2987 articles identified, 56 studies across 12 sports and athletic populations were included in this review. The included studies employed cyclic (22 studies) and acyclic (26 studies) and a mixed intervention (8 studies) movement type. However, among these, badminton-specific WR studies were conducted in only four warm-up interventions. This review shows growing adoption of WR in sports-specific training, with its effects shaped by load magnitude, placement and the specific movement task being performed WR. Trunk-loaded WR warm-up at 5–10% body mas (BM) was the most evidence-supported application in badminton for enhancing change-of-direction (COD) speed, however, due to the limited literature, coaches and athletes should be cautious when interpreting because this result is not absolute. Future research should focus on areas highlighted in this review, including footwork, overhead strokes and landing mechanics.