The Sports and Fitness Industry Association has called it the fastestgrowing sport in America but that also means more players are susceptible to injuries.
The number of people playing pickleball grew by 159% over three years to nearly 9 million in 2022, according to the association.
According to the SFIA, pickleball-related injuries are projected to cost Americans up to $500 million in healthcare this year, with projected 67,000 emergency room visits, 366,000 outpatient visits, and 9,000 surgeries directly related to the sport’s injuries.
This alarming rate of injuries is raising concerns for older or lessconditioned players who may not be as physically fit.
Eric Burness, owner and physical therapist at Ahwatukee Physical Therapy, has witnessed firsthand the impact of the sport’s rising injury rate.
“We see a varying number of different injuries from our patients who are pickleball players including those resulting from falls, knee and ankle sprains, hip and lower back pain and sprains, rotor cuff injuries, shoulder impingement, and elbow injuries,” he said.
Doug Thompson, owner and personal trainer at Ahwatukee’s Body Firm Fitness Studio, said people who want to play pickleball – or any other sport, for that matter – shouldn’t be discouraged by the possibility of injury but rather take steps to reduce injury.
“Injury prevention conditioning is key for people who are considering becoming physically active again as well as for those who are already active,” he said.
“This includes activities such as pickleball, tennis, golf, hiking, skiing, baseball, and frankly, everyday living. Conditioning different muscle groups to keep them strong and flexible is important for both prevention, recovery, and improving performance,” said Thompson.
Burness added, “The most concerning injuries are related to falls usually associated with strength, balance, and fatigue deficits.”
He noted that the Body Firm designs programs for clients specifically to reduce injury and the two businesses are aligned in assisting with injury recovery.
Both Burness and Thompson agree that taking steps in injury prevention, coupled with proper knowledge of one’s own health and physical limitations, pickleball can be an enriching activity enjoyed by players of all ages.
The Body Firm Fitness Studio has been locally owned and operated in Ahwatukee since 2007 and offers private, semi-private, and appointment-based open gym circuit training sessions.
Ahwatukee Physical Therapy offers physical therapy programs that include sport injury rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, chronic pain, and spine pelvis extremities.
Rory Conaway training fat the Body Firm or an upcoming pickleball tournament.