Don’t get in a pickle… prevent injuries on the Pickleball Court
Who knew that Pickleball would explode as a recreational and competitive sport among all ages?! New clubs, facilities and tournaments are popping up all over. However, with this phenomenal popular sport, there is also a slew of potential injuries. The good news is they are easily prevented.
The top 5 injuries that we, as physiotherapists, see emerging from the on-the-court action from this game are ankle sprains, Achilles tendon strains, MCL sprains of the knee, wrist fractures and rotator cuff injuries.
However, have no FEAR! Don’t put down your racket quite yet. Just because you are actively pursuing your new sport doesn’t mean that sooner or later you will experience one of these side-lining injuries. It is all about prevention and awareness! Read on for some fabulous tips on how you can have a perfect Pickleball performance this year.
Warm-Up + Stretch
Before any activity or sport, including Pickleball, it is really important to warm up and get a limber before jumping in and swinging that racket. Tight, cold muscles don’t have the flexibility they need to respond well can lead to sprains and strains. Take a short walk, stretch your legs, neck and shoulders and take a few practice swings.
Tune-Up your Body
Just like cars need to be tuned up on a regular basis, so does your body. Get some help from your physio on core strengthening, balance, flexibility moves and shoulder exercises to keep yourself in tip-top shape.
Listen to Your Body
Feeling a little tired or have a bit of a sore back? Take the day off; see if you can work it out before heading back to the court. Don’t play through pain or injury OR if you are under the weather.
Wear the Right Shoes
You wouldn’t wear golf shoes to go dancing, would you? Well, the same rule applies to Pickleball. Your shoes need to have a smooth surface on the soles (i.e. court shoes) so that they don’t catch on the ground. Running shoes that have those treads calls for disaster! Catching a toe on the court can lead to numerous injuries of the foot, ankle, calf, knee, leg, back, or neck. We’ve seen and heard about people tweaking or even tearing their Achilles tendon from wearing the WRONG shoes!
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