HEALTHY LIVING


Prevent Common Pickleball Injuries


It’s great exercise for seniors, but it’s not without risk. :: According to SFIA, more than half


(52%) of core pickleball players — those who play eight or more times a year — are 55 or older, and almost a third (32.7%) are 65 years or older. Zarah Anvery, a physical therapist


with HSS in New York, is a tennis player-turned-pickleball enthusiast. “Pickleball is pitched as an easier


alternative to tennis, and if you already play tennis, that’s fine,” she explains. “But people are playing pickleball that have no athletic background whatsoever.”


HOW TO GET STARTED, SAFELY


Here are Carr and Anvery’s tips: If you’ve had any injuries or


health problems, or you haven’t been exercising regularly, see your doctor before playing pickleball. If you’ve had joint surgery, talk to your surgeon. Your movement may need to be evaluated. Before starting pickleball, you


BY CHARLOTTE LIBOV C


reated as a kid’s game nearly 60 years ago, pickleball exploded during the pandemic, and is now


the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. About 8.9 million people play


pickleball — more than double the 4.1 million in 2021, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). But this game is not without


risk, especially for older Americans. According to UBS Analysis AG, pickleball, related injuries cost Americans $377 million in medical care in 2023. The analysts estimated there were


67,000 emergency room visits, 366,000 outpatient visits, and 9,000 outpatient surgeries related to pickleball injuries last year. Around 60% of pickleball injuries


are sprains, strains, and fractures. Twenty percent are contusions, abrasions, or internal injuries; and fewer than 10% are lacerations or


86 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | MARCH 2024


dislocations, the report says. “Pickleball is a popular sport for


lots of reasons,” says Dr. James Carr, an orthopedic surgeon at HSS Florida in West Palm Beach. “It’s a great cardiovascular


workout, it helps keep you limber, and there are wonderful mental and social benefits. But there is a downside, and that is the risk of injury.” According to Carr, the most


common injuries he treats involve the following: Achilles tendon, the thick connective


tissue in the back of the leg Rotator cuff, the muscles and tendons


that surround the shoulder joint Meniscus, the cartilage that cushions


the knee Anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL,


which stabilizes the knee “Pickleball is advertised as a sport


that’s great for older people, and it’s billed as being minimally athletic. Unfortunately, because people think it’s easy, they play it too often, and they end up overdoing it.”


should already be in a strength and conditioning program. If not, join a gym, or hire a fitness trainer. Get an expert. Book an


introductory lesson with a pickleball trainer so you can see what’s involved. Be realistic. If you struggle going


up stairs, your movements are slow, and/or you are just getting back into exercising, play with your age group or stick to doubles. Pay attention to the surface of the


court. Although cement and asphalt are common, seek out courts with a softer surface, such as clay or grass. Wear appropriate shoes. Flat


shoes — tennis sneakers — are ideal. Pickleball shoes are available, but they are basically tennis sneakers. Pick the right paddle weight. An


overly heavy paddle can strain your wrist. Says Carr, “My most important tip


is to start slow. My patients often say, ‘I’m retired now, and it’s my time.’ And then they go at it like they are in their 20s and get hurt. I hear this all the time.”


BEARFOTOS/SHUTETRSTOCK


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