Pickleball has become very popular as a sport in recent years.However, a new study has found that many trauma related to Pickleball is happening to players over 50 years old.According to a recent study, in the US, 90% of Pickleball trauma related to people aged 50 and over.Half of these injuries are sprains or broken bones, showing how serious the accident is related to pickleball.
Trauma due to playing pickleball also has a big financial impact.According to data, in 2023, medical costs for these injuries amounted to more than 350 million USD (more than 8.6 trillion dong).In addition, the number of fractures due to pickleball players has increased 90 times from 2002 to 2022, especially in players from 60 to 69 years old.
The risk of injury when playing pickleball is higher than you think (Photo: Reddit)
Although pickleball is an interesting way to exercise and interact with people, it is equally important to remember that this sport is also risky, especially for older players.
The most common injuries when playing pickleball
Here are the most common injuries that affect Pickleball players:
- Muscle and sprains: This is the cause of 33.2% of injuries related to pickleball games in the elderly.
- Fracture: 28.1% of injuries are fractures.
- Bruises and scratches: accounting for 10.6% of injuries in older players.
- Wear injury: Especially common in older female players who are at risk of broken wrist bones 9 times higher than that of male players.
- Injury to the lower limb: accounting for 29%of the total injury, including the lower leg (12.9%), the ankle (6.1%), the knee (5.9%) and the foot (2, 2,1%).
- In trauma in the above expenditure: accounting for 33%of the total injury, including wrist injuries (13.2%) and shoulders (5.4%) leading the list.
- Head injury: Despite being less common, head injury accounts for 12% of injuries in older pickleball players.
Locations are prone to injury when playing pickleball (Photo: The Washington Post)
Although knowing the most common injuries is essential, understanding how to prevent them is even more important.
How to prevent injury when playing pickleball
Good news is a lot of injuries when playing pickleball can be prevented by proper preventive measures.Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of injury while still enjoying the game:
- Proper start: Before entering the yard, stretch and start the engine.Focus on the most prone to stretching areas, such as shoulders, wrists, knees and ankles.
- Shoes suitable: Investing in good shoes with cushions and supporting ankle suitable.Avoid wearing shoes as they can increase the risk of sliding or ankle.
- Use appropriate techniques: Learn the form of serve, swing and move on the field.Poor technique can lead to an injury due to excessive use and increase the risk of falling.
- Keeping enough water for the body: dehydration can lead to muscle cramps and fatigue, increasing the risk of injury.Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after the matches.
- Resting: Know your limits and take a regular break to avoid excessive effort.Listen to your body - if you feel something wrong, leave the yard and rest.
- Strengthen the main muscle groups: Strengthening the body, legs and upper body can help stabilize the movements on the field and prevent injuries such as sprains, fractures and muscle tension.
Source: Times Now, CNBC