Badminton Wrist Shake: Why Does It Happen?

why does my wrist skake after playing badminton

Playing badminton involves repetitive movements that can cause wrist pain and shaking. This could be due to incorrect technique, overuse of certain muscles, or equipment that is too heavy or too small. Blisters, golfer's elbow, and tennis elbow are common badminton injuries that can cause wrist pain and discomfort. To prevent these issues, it is important to warm up, stretch, and strengthen the muscles in the forearm with exercises like wrist flexion and extension.

Characteristics Values
Reason Repetitive movements, overuse of forearm muscles, incorrect racket grip size and balance, heavy racket
Symptoms Trembling hands, achy arms, dull pain in tendons, stiffness, pain when gripping, weak grip, wrist-flexion discomfort
Treatment Rest, ice, wrist-extension exercises, wrist flexion and extension exercises, counterforce strap, eccentric wrist-extension drills, ergonomic technique coaching, myofascial release, graded strengthening
Prevention Warm-up and stretching, advice on technique, correct racket grip size and balance, wrist extensors via resistance-band, cross-training with low-impact activities, adequate sleep

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Blisters on the hands

  • Experiment with different grip sizes. If you have a thick grip, consider switching to a thinner one, as this may reduce the force on your hands.
  • Try different grip materials. Synthetic grips, such as Yonex Supergrap, can help absorb sweat and improve your grip on the racquet. Cotton grips, on the other hand, may cause blisters for those who sweat a lot.
  • Change your grip regularly. Synthetic grips, in particular, should be replaced frequently to maintain their effectiveness.
  • Avoid using your racquet hand to wipe sweat from your face. Instead, use a wristband to keep your hands dry.
  • Wear good-quality wristbands to absorb sweat and reduce the moisture reaching your grip.
  • If you use a towel grip, change it at least once a week, as it can harden and smell if not changed regularly.

If you do get blisters on your hands, here are some steps you can take to treat them:

  • If the blister has not burst, you may need to make a small hole at the edge with a sterilized pin or needle. Drain the fluid but leave as much skin as possible to protect the underlying skin and prevent infection.
  • Clean the blister with a sterilizing wipe and cover it with a second skin or blister plaster.
  • Apply tape over the plaster for added security.
  • As a short-term measure, you can apply petroleum jelly to the affected area for instant pain relief. However, it will not remain effective for long as the heat from your hand will melt the jelly.

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Overuse of forearm muscles

Playing badminton involves rapid lunges, jumps, pivots, and overhead smashes, which can place significant stress on the muscles, tendons, and joints. The wrist flexors are small muscles, and heavy weights can cause excess loading, leading to injuries.

Badminton players often experience wrist and forearm soreness due to overuse of the forearm muscles. This can lead to conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow. Excessive use of these muscles creates micro-tears and inflammation near where the muscles meet the elbow. The pain associated with tennis elbow typically occurs just below the elbow and becomes more frequent as one ages.

To prevent and manage overuse of the forearm muscles, it is important to incorporate specific exercises and stretches into your routine. Regularly performing wrist flexion and extension exercises can help target the muscles in the forearm and reduce soreness. Additionally, varying your practice drills and incorporating rest breaks can alleviate muscle stress.

Wall practice is another effective way to strengthen your forearms. The resistance offered by the wall requires you to exert more force, which in turn strengthens your forearm muscles. Using a heavier training racket during wall practice can also help train your forearms to generate more power.

It is also important to be mindful of your grip. Beginners often tend to grip the racquet too hard, which can lead to fatigue and soreness in the forearm muscles. Additionally, ensure that your equipment is suitable and not causing unnecessary friction or strain on your elbow.

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Incorrect racket grip size

Holding the badminton racket with an incorrect grip can cause wrist problems. The way you hold the racket is the most important basic step in the game. A good grip can reduce injuries, increase the range of shots, and produce better results.

The thumb is the main driver to push the racket for all backhand shots. It should be placed correctly on the racket handle where the front of the racket frame is. The grip should be loose until the shuttle hits the strings, and the player should tighten their grip only when the hit is executed. A loose grip allows the player to use their fingers and thumb to quickly twist and turn the racket. This improves power, control, accuracy, and consistency.

The hammer grip, which is similar to the panhandle grip, is useful for executing jumping smashes. The player starts with a forehand grip and then swiftly rotates the grip to a hammer grip while swinging their arm during the jump. The hammer grip is so-called because it is the same way one holds a hammer. The panhandle grip, on the other hand, is identified by the racket head being horizontal when the racket is held at arm's length in front of the player.

To avoid wrist problems, players should also aim to keep their wrist flatter and use their thumb to squeeze against the wide part of the grip, engaging the forearm to add power.

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Lack of wrist flexion exercises

Wrist flexion exercises are important for badminton players to improve wrist mobility, flexibility, stability, and strength. These exercises can help to avoid wrist sprains, which occur when the wrist is overextended, causing small tears in the ligaments. They can also help to prevent wrist strains, which are injuries to the muscle or tendon caused by sudden force or repetitive use of the wrist during badminton play.

To strengthen the wrist and forearm muscles, badminton players can perform wrist curls with dumbbells. Sitting on a bench or chair, hold a dumbbell in one hand with your palm facing up and your forearm resting on your thigh or the bench. Allow the weight to roll down to your fingertips, then slowly curl your wrist upward, bringing the weight towards your forearm. Hold for a moment, then slowly lower the weight back down.

Another effective exercise is the figure 8 motion with a dumbbell, which improves wrist mobility and coordination. Hold a light dumbbell with your palm facing up and make a figure 8 motion with your wrist, keeping your forearm stationary. This enhances your ability to manoeuvre the racket with fluidity and precision.

In addition to these targeted wrist flexion exercises, it is beneficial to incorporate them into your upper body workout routines. This can help improve forearm and hand strength, which is crucial for wrist strength and power during badminton play.

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Poor technique

An incorrect grip on the racket can cause wrist torque, leading to discomfort and potential injury. It is important to adjust your grip size in small increments to find the perfect fit for your hand, reducing the risk of wrist injuries. A professional can help you determine the correct grip size and balance for your racket, which can prevent wrist issues.

The way you swing the racket is also crucial. If your technique is not optimal, you may be overusing certain muscles and causing unnecessary friction and strain on your wrist and elbow joints. This can lead to conditions like tennis elbow or golfer's elbow, resulting in pain, stiffness, and weakness in the wrist and elbow areas.

To improve your technique and reduce the risk of wrist-related injuries, consider seeking advice from a coach or a physiotherapist. They can guide you on the correct grip and swing techniques, as well as provide specific forearm exercises to strengthen the muscles in your wrist and forearm. Additionally, warming up, stretching, and varying your practice drills can help prevent overuse injuries.

By focusing on improving your technique and listening to your body, you can minimise the chances of experiencing wrist shaking and pain after playing badminton. Remember, it is always a good idea to consult with a medical professional if you have persistent or severe symptoms.

Frequently asked questions

This could be due to repetitive movements and overuse of your forearm muscles, which can cause tennis elbow or golfer's elbow. It's important to see a doctor if you're concerned and get advice on your technique and equipment to prevent further issues.

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a common badminton injury that occurs due to overuse of the forearm muscles. It creates micro-tears and inflammation near where the muscles meet your elbow, causing pain and stiffness below the elbow.

Treatment for tennis elbow includes rest, ice, counterforce straps, and eccentric wrist-extension drills, often with the help of a physiotherapist. It's important to get your elbow checked by a professional as soon as you notice any pain to prevent the symptoms from worsening.

To prevent wrist issues, you can perform wrist flexion and extension exercises to strengthen your forearm muscles. Additionally, ensure your racket has the correct grip size and string tension to avoid wrist torque and overuse injuries.

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