The rise and fall(s) of pickleball

When it comes to outdoor activities and exercise, pickleball has become wildly popular. The sport is drawing legions of new players, and often-empty tennis courts are being renewed into multiple pickleball courts.

The draw? It’s good exercise and helps improve balance. It also challenges its players physically and mentally. It’s easy to learn, and players of various skill levels can take to the courts.

But while it looks like all fun and games on the pickleball courts, injuries can happen, especially if you are older.

According to Pickleheads, the official court and game finder of USA Pickleball, 110 locations in Arkansas offer 462 pickleball courts. If it sounds like we’re a hotbed for the sport … not so much. The Natural State ranks 40th nationwide for the most pickleball courts.

But Arkansans who are into the sport are really into it. The Hot Springs Village Pickleball Club’s 390 members participate in open play, leagues and tournaments on 14 outdoor pickleball courts, half of which have LED lighting to play after dark.

Pickleball is popular because it’s easy to learn, offers various skill levels, is good exercise, challenges the mind and body and improves balance, explains Judy Cowan, with the Hot Springs Village Pickleball Club’s board of directors.

“Most importantly, pickleball is fun, social, competitive and very addictive,” said Cowan.

Fans of the sport in the village have lots of company. The United Pickleball Association, a professional organization, held its state championship at the village’s courts in September, and the month before, the Arkansas Senior Olympics held pickleball competitions in Cabot. As the sport spreads internationally, many hope it will be included in future Summer Olympics Games.

Thought of as family fun, pickleball draws players of all ages and walks of life, but older players should take care.

According to a recent study by University of Arkansas public health researchers, 87% of all pickleball-related injuries that require an emergency room visit happen to players older than age 50. More alarmingly, older players experience an increased risk of cardiovascular symptoms.

The study, “The Role of Age as a Risk Factor for Pickleball-Related Injuries,” published in the January issue of Health, a Scientific Research Publishing journal, aimed to learn what factors increase the risk of injury, how the injuries happen and what steps can be taken to avoid them.

The researchers, Ches Jones and Bart Hammig, professors of Health, Human Performance and Recreation in the University of Arkansas Fayetteville College of Education and Health Professions, found that 1 out of 5 players injured required hospital admission. Of those hospitalized, 75% of them were for cardiac arrest, with the remaining 25% experiencing fractures.

“Pickleball requires short bursts of intense movement,” explained Jones, adding that players who may be at risk for heart disease and haven’t
trained before playing are at greater risk.

Players likely to be injured include those over age 40 and new players without adequate strength and endurance training.
If you want to learn to play pickleball, go for it!

But get a wellness checkup before playing. If you need a primary care provider, sign in to Blueprint Portal at blueprintportal.com or call the number on the back of your member ID card to find one near you.