Mar 06, 2023

Why Pickleball is popular & common injuries from playing Pickleball

If you have heard of pickleball, but aren't sure what it is, let us fill you in. Pickleball is a racquet sport that was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard and his associates at the University of Washington, Seattle. Joel Pritchard was a former Washington state high school teacher who wanted an activity for his students to get exercise during their lunch break. He combined elements from three existing games: ping pong (table tennis), wiffle ball (a variation on baseball) and badminton racquets with a wiffle ball bat

🎾Pickleball

If you love tennis, badminton and table tennis, then pickleball is the sport for you.
The game has been around since 1965 and is now being played by millions of people all over the world.
If you've always wanted to try something new but were intimidated by other racquet sports like tennis or badminton, then pickleball might be just what you're looking for.
Let's take a look at some of the reasons why so many people love this sport!
Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines the best elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.
While it's easy to learn, pickleball can also be played competitively at all levels.

There are many reasons why pickleball is just as fun than other racquet sports like tennis. Here are a few of our favorites:

🎾Pickleball is easy to learn. You can start playing pickleball right away, with or without a partner, and enjoy it right away.

🎾Pickleball can be played in groups or as an individual sport. The game has been designed so that even beginners will be able to play against others who have more experience than them. This makes the game fun for all ages!

🎾There are many different types of pickleball games you can play: singles; doubles; mixed doubles (where men and women play together); cutthroat (a version where everyone competes against everyone else).

One of the things that makes pickleball so popular is its simplicity.

Pickleball is a simple game to learn and play, which means it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. It's a great way to get outside and have fun with friends or family members, even if you haven't played any other sports before!

🏸 It's played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court, with singles and doubles versions of the game.

🎾 The ball is served overhand into the net on one side of the court, then volleyed back to your partner or opponent using a wooden paddle made specifically for this sport (there are also plastic paddles available if you don't want to splurge). 🎾Players must not let the ball drop below knee level during play—this is called "keeping it high."

Pickleball is a popular sport, and there are many pickleball courts in the USA. In fact, it's easy to find a game of pickleball at any time of day or night. Pickleball clubs have been popping up everywhere!

There are many ways to learn this fun new sport: you can take classes at a nearby gym or community center; ask your friends who play; or look up videos on YouTube (some even feature professional athletes). Once you've learned how to play, all that's left is finding some players who want to join your league and maybe practicing once in awhile so that everyone can come together for tournament!

Our advice is to start with an inexpensive paddle so that you can find out if you enjoy playing before investing in a more expensive version.

We recommend starting with an inexpensive paddle, as you can always upgrade later. Paddles are available in a variety of sizes and materials, with prices ranging from $20 to $300+. If you're just getting started, pick up something inexpensive that feels comfortable in your hand and see if it's something you enjoy playing before making an investment.

🎾Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors, depending on the climate where you live. It's also easy to adapt the rules for indoor play by lowering the net height and using balls with less bounce.

Play pickleball with friends or family members! This is a great way to stay active while having fun together.
If you're looking for a little competition in your life, try competing against others at local tournaments and leagues for prizes like gift cards or trophies (and maybe even some bragging rights).

No matter how old or young you are or what your athletic ability may be, pickleball can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to try something new!

Pickleball is a game that can be played by people of all ages, including the elderly and those with disabilities. It's also a great activity for families who want to spend time together playing outdoors in the fresh air.

Pickleball is also a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone in your family, even if they don't play sports at school or in their community!

👉Pickleball is a fun sport and it's good for you! It's easy to learn, so you can play with your family or friends. You can also meet new people while playing pickleball.

🏸Pickleball is a fast paced paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. Pickleball is a fun and fast game that can be played by people of all ages and abilities and it's easy to learn! It's a great way to get exercise, stay active, enjoy the outdoors and make new friends. It's especially popular among older adults because it doesn't require as much physical exertion as other sports

🎾The court used for pickleball is similar to a tennis court. However, instead of being enclosed by netting on all sides like in tennis or badminton, pickleball courts have open ends so players can hit the ball over an end line into an opposing team's side without penalty (except when serving).

Why do people play pickleball?

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It's easy to learn and can be played by people of all ages and abilities.
The rules are simple: players take turns hitting a perforated plastic ball over a net at an opponent, who then returns it.
The only equipment you need to play is a plastic paddle, which can be purchased at most sporting goods stores.
It's also quite easy to learn: the rules are similar to tennis or badminton, but you don't need to be an athlete in order to excel at pickleball!

What are the rules of pickleball?

Pickleball is played on a court, slightly shorter than a standard badminton court.
The net hangs about 6 feet above the ground, and can be lowered for children's games or raised for more competitive matches.
The ball is made from plastic and has holes in it so that it makes a rattling sound when you hit it (hence "pickle").
The ball is slightly smaller than a standard badminton birdie, but heavier so it stays in play longer without bouncing out over the net..
Pickleball courts are half the size of a standard tennis court (30 feet by 60 feet) with nets at each end that are about 4 feet high--the same height as badminton nets.
The game is normally played on a court that measures 14 x 10 meters with lines dividing it into two halves and four service courts.

Although pickleball is great fun, it also comes with its share of injuries, particularly among beginners who aren't used to running around so much! We'll explore some common pickleball injuries and how best to prevent them from happening in the first place

Pickleball is a great way to get exercise because it uses all parts of your body: arms, legs and core muscles (the muscles around your stomach). You'll be active during every point in the game!

What are common injuries in pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, there are some common injuries associated with the game.

The most common injuries in pickleball include:

Shoulder injuries. These include rotator cuff tears, biceps tendonitis and labral tears of the shoulder joint. These injuries are often caused by poor technique when serving or hitting the ball with your hand on top of your paddle instead of underneath it. If you have any pain in your shoulder area while playing pickleball or after playing it for an extended period of time, consult with a doctor immediately to determine if further treatment is needed.

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) OSD is a common injury in young athletes. It's caused by excessive stress on the patellar tendon, which attaches to your kneecap. OSD can be treated with rest and ice, but surgery is sometimes needed if symptoms don't improve after several months of conservative treatment.

IT band friction syndrome IT band friction syndrome is a condition that causes pain on the outside of the knee. The IT band is a tendon that runs from your hip to your shinbone, and when it rubs against your kneecap (patella) or thighbone as you move, it can cause inflammation and pain. IT band friction syndrome is common in runners who don't warm up properly before exercise or stretch enough afterward, but it can also be caused by overuse of other activities like cycling or pickleball. If you've been playing pickleball for a while and are starting to notice pain on one side of your knee more often than not, this could be what's causing it!

Achilles tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis is a painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone and helps you bend your ankle when you walk or run.

Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the connective tissue in the arch of your foot, which supports weight when standing on it.

Ankle sprains/strains are common injuries in any sport as a result of a fall or impact with someone ort something.

Back injuries can be caused by poor posture and repetitive motions like serving and hitting the ball with too much force. If you're experiencing back pain while playing pickleball, see your doctor immediately! Pickleball puts a lot of stress on your back, especially if you play for long periods of time or have poor posture.

Make sure you take breaks every 15 minutes or so when playing pickleball by sitting down and stretching out your legs or taking a walk around the court (or even just around your house).
Also make sure that when picking up paddles or balls, hold onto them close to their ends so as not to strain any areas further up the arm than necessary (such as shoulders).
Back problems can arise due to overuse or improper form when serving or making other movements during play.

Knee injuries occur when players use improper footwork or bend at an awkward angle while swinging their paddle around during playtime. Because knees are so important for balance in this sport, players should always make sure they're properly aligned before taking their next shot!

The most common knee injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is a ligament that connects your thigh bone to your shin bone.
This can cause pain and swelling in the knee, as well as instability when walking or running on uneven surfaces.

If there's one thing that'll keep people away from this great sport, it's knee pain! Fortunately there are ways around this problem.

First off try wearing knee pads or a knee compression sleeve (like MendMeShop's Knee Compression Sleeve) when playing.
Secondly remember not only how far away from each other players should stand during games but also where everyone else is standing relative to yourself.
This is to avoid tripping over anyone else's feet while running down court trying catch an errant shot (which might cause injury later on).
Knee pain may also occur due to poor footwork which causes stress on muscles around this area.

Wrist injuries: Wrist pain can occur when playing pickleball because of repetitive movements of bending and extending your wrist during play.

Elbow fractures/dislocations are also a possibility during a game as a result of a bad fall or movement.

🧑🏽‍⚕️The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is STOP playing and see you doctor immediately if you have sustained an injury or are experiencing pain or inflammation during or after your pickleball game

Exercises and stretches to do before and after pickleball

If you play pickleball, you know how important it is to warm up your muscles and stretch before you play. But did you know that stretching can also help prevent injuries? It's true! When done correctly, these exercises and stretches will prepare your body for the game without making your muscles too sore or tight. The following few moves that are simple enough for anyone, even beginners!

Warm up your muscles

🚶‍♂️Before you play pickleball, it's important to warm up your muscles. This will help prevent injury and increase performance. A good way to do this is through vigorous activity that gets your heart rate up (but not so much that you're out of breath), such as jumping jacks or running in place for about five minutes.

🚶‍♂️When practicing a sport like pickleball, which requires quick movements and lots of energy, it can be easy to get hurt if you don't properly warm up beforehand (and even worse if you skip out altogether!)

Taking the time to warm up and stretch can help make you a better player!

🧘🏽‍♀️Warming up and stretching are important for any activity, but especially so for pickleball. They help you prepare your body for exercise, increase flexibility and improve performance.

🎾When playing pickleball, it's easy to get into a rush because the game is so fast-paced! But this can lead to injury if you don't warm up properly before starting play.

✔️A good way to warm up is by doing some light jogging or running; this will get your heart rate going and raise body temperature so that when you start playing at full speed later on there won't be any injuries caused by shock or fatigue from being out of breath too soon after starting play.

Stretches to do before pickleball

✔️These stretches are great for anyone who wants to improve their performance on the court, but they're especially important if you're new to the sport and want to reduce your risk of injury.

✔️Stretching afterwards helps keep muscles loose while they recover from exertion during gameplay; stretching also increases flexibility which allows players who stretch regularly greater ability when performing movements such as jumping into shots or moving around opponents on defense.

Stretches to do before and after playing pickleball

Standing side bend

Stand straight with your feet together.
Place one hand on your waist and the other on top of that arm, palm facing inward towards you.
Bend to the side as far as possible without losing balance or dropping either arm. Hold for 30 seconds on each side, then switch sides and repeat again for another 30 seconds per side (90 seconds total).

Chest stretch

Stand with your feet a few inches apart.
Reach your arms out to the side and lean forward from your hips, keeping your back straight and bending at the waist.
Hold for 30 seconds before returning to a standing position

Triceps stretch:

Stand with your back straight and feet shoulder-width apart.
Bend your right arm behind your head, keeping it close to the side of your body.
Use the left hand to gently pull on the right elbow until you feel a stretch in both triceps muscles (the large muscle at the back of each upper arm). Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times on each side before playing pickleball or other racquet sports

Overhead stretch:

This stretch is great for opening up the shoulder area.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and arms straight out in front of you at shoulder height, palms facing down.
Keeping your shoulders back and chest open, slowly raise both arms overhead until they are level with the top of your head.
Hold for 10 seconds before returning to start position.

Lateral lean:

The lateral lean is a great stretch for your lower body.
It loosens up the muscles in your hips, thighs and calves.
Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and toes pointed straight ahead (or slightly outward).
Place hands on hips or hold onto something for support if needed. Keep back straight but not arched.
Bend left knee so that it's in line with right ankle; keep heel down on floor throughout exercise.
Gently press left thigh toward floor until you feel mild tension in front of hip joint
You should feel some mild discomfort but no pain!
Hold for 30 seconds before repeating with other leg; repeat 2 times per side per set.

Standing side bend

Stand with feet about hip-width apart and arms at your sides, palms facing in.
Bend to the right and reach toward the floor with the left hand, keeping both knees straight.
Return to starting position and repeat on opposite side.

Chest stretch:

Stand tall with feet spread wide apart (about twice as wide as shoulder width).
Reach both arms above head; interlink fingers behind neck if possible or clasp hands in front of chest/stomach area for additional support if needed.
Gently press shoulders down into their sockets while pressing chest forward until you feel a stretch in upper back area.

Triceps Stretch:

Lying face up on floor or mat place right hand behind head so elbow points upward towards ceiling.
Bend left leg placing foot flat on floor next to right knee while keeping pelvis level
Raise torso off ground keeping back flat until reaching full extension at which point lower torso down onto ground repeat process several times before switching sides

Neck stretch:

Place one hand behind your head, then tilt it toward your shoulder blade by looking up toward the sky (you'll feel this in your neck).
Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat with other side.

Shoulder shrugs:

Raise both shoulders as high as possible while keeping them relaxed (don't clench!),
Then lower slowly back down again
This helps loosen up tense muscles in the upper back area before hitting the court!

👉How often should I do this? You can add this into your pre-game routine as many times as needed prior to playing pickleball because it helps loosen up tight muscles that might otherwise prevent you from being able to play at full capacity or even hurt yourself in the process!

👉After you play pickleball, it's a good idea to stretch your muscles. Stretching helps prevent injury and reduces muscle soreness. It can also improve your performance by increasing flexibility, which allows you to move more freely on the court.

We hope these exercises and stretches will help you become a better pickleball player! If you find that they are helping your game, then keep doing them. If not, try something else or experiment with different types of stretching exercises until you find what works best for your body type and playing style.

⚠️Pickleball is a fun sport to play, but it can cause some injuries if you're not careful. Injuries can happen to anyone, even if you're careful. It's important to know what the most common injuries are and how to avoid them.

🎾We hope that you enjoyed learning about the most common pickleball injuries. If you are interested in getting into this game, we encourage you to do so! It's a great way to stay active and have fun with friends and family members who also love playing sports.

⚠️The bottom line is that pickleball is a fun sport to play, but it can cause some injuries if you're not careful. The best way to prevent these injuries is by stretching before playing and wearing proper equipment (such as wrist guards) and make sure that your shoes fit correctly before playing on any hard surfaces (like concrete or asphalt).

🧑🏽‍⚕️If you do get injured, don't hesitate to seek help from a doctor or physical therapist!

References

We pride ourselves on being thoroughly researched before we post blog posts, articles or webpages. Here is a list of references used to create this content:

👉Ref 1: Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America The Ecomonist

👉Ref 2: Why Is Pickleball So Popular? NYTIMES

👉Ref 3: WHY IS PICKLEBALL SO POPULAR? Sports Imports

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