Objective To analyze the badminton athletes’dynamic responses in their lower limbs under impact loads. Methods A human musculoskeletal model was established based on AnyBody Modeling System software and verified by measuring surface electromyography (EMG). The muscle force, joint force, joint torque of lower limbs during right Front-Court Lunge Step in badminton were studied by inverse dynamic simulation and analysis through Vicon motion capture system and force platform. Results The musculoskeletal model was validated to be effective by EMG. During right Front-Court Lunge Step in badminton，the force peak of the hip and ankle joint in Z direction was larger than that in X and Y direction, and the force peak of the knee joint in X direction was larger than that in Y and Z direction. During buffer period, the hip joint in X, Y, Z direction showed adduction, extension and internal rotation torque, respectively, the knee joint in X, Y, Z direction showed abduction, flexion and external rotation torque, respectively, and the ankle joint in X, Y direction showed varus and plantar flexion torque, respectively. The peak torque of the hip, knee and ankle joint in X direction was significantly larger than that in Y and Z direction. Vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, anterior tibial and medial gastrocnemius played a larger role against the ground reaction, while rectus femoris, semitendinosus, soleus played a relatively smaller role against the ground reaction. Conclusions The established musculoskeletal model in the study can provide a technical platform to analyze athletes’biomechanical properties of lower limbs under impact loads. To avoid sport injuries, more attention should be paid to the effect from ground reaction force load at touchdown instant on hip, knee and ankle joints in anteroposterior and mediolateral direction during footwork similar to Front-Court Lunge Step in badminton, and at the same time, the strength training of vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, anterior tibial and medial gastrocnemius of badminton players should not be ignored during specialized training.