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The present study aimed at examining the physiological characteristics and metabolic demands of badminton single match play. Twelve internationally ranked badminton players (eight women and four men) performed an incremental treadmill test [VO_2peak = 50.3 ± 4.1 ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ (women) and 61.8 ± 5.9 ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ (men), respectively]. On a separate day, they played a simulated badminton match of two 15 min with simultaneous gas exchange (breath-by-breath) and heart rate measurements. Additionally, blood lactate concentrations were determined before, after 15 min and at the end of the match. Furthermore, the duration of rallies and rests in between, the score as well as the number of shots per rally were recorded. A total of 630 rallies was analysed. Mean rally and rest duration were 5.5 ± 4.4 s and 11.4 ± 6.0 s, respectively, with an average 5.1 ± 3.9 shots played per rally. Mean oxygen …