America is known as a sports-mad nation. Let's take a look at the attention paid to sports in this country. From youth sports to many college athletics to all professional competitions, and add in the recent explosion of sports betting, sports betting has become an ingrained part of life in this country. . If you want numerical proof of this, just look at the money associated with the NFL, the $1 million salaries, the advertising, and the fact that the professional game is a huge part of the American economy.
Many argue that too much attention is given to sports because for most of us, sports are passively involved. We don't participate, we mostly watch. Millions of eyes were glued to the screens for this second Sunday's big game. How many of you watching did something active in the last week? We've become a nation of spectators.
However, a new sport that's easy to learn and fun to play is taking the world by storm. The important thing to note when discussing this pickleball-based sporting activity is that it can be enjoyed well into later life. Initially, this was the biggest selling point, as it was a sport that even older people could play. Badminton was invented on his court in 1965 using a table tennis paddle and a wiffle ball and is said to be a fusion of table tennis, badminton and tennis.
Their goal was to create a game with only moderate athleticism. That means young people can play, but so can older people. Pickleball is currently the fastest growing sport in America and has been that way for several years. However, as word has spread that everyone can participate, many people participate, even if they are not physically fit to participate.
Regardless of your age, if you are not in at least average physical condition, you should be careful when undertaking any new sporting activity, regardless of type. This applies to pickleball as well as hiking, biking, and other physical activities. Although not similar to the requirements of most major sports, pickleball requires a minimum level of fitness.
While pickleball isn't the most taxing sport (especially for doubles) and doesn't make for a tiring workout, research has shown that it has benefits for agility and hand-eye coordination. You can boost your cardiovascular health if you're out of shape, but this requires a significantly more intense level of play and more frequent participation. Experts note some slight improvements in strength and fitness, but these plateau after a few months of regular play.
Almost every sport (even curling??) has dangers, and pickleball has certain dangers as well. Data shows that more injuries occur playing pickleball than walking or swimming. The mechanics of this sport are good for repetitive use injuries, especially wrist and elbow injuries, as well as injuries caused by sudden sharp movements.
In addition to improving your fitness level before engaging in sports, prevention is a good habit, and one recommended approach is to warm up before playing. (Stretching is only effective when the muscles and tissues are thoroughly loosened.) “It's warm.” The benefits of increasing blood flow to the involved soft tissues (calf, quadriceps, hamstrings, etc.) have been well known for many years. This can be accomplished by performing standard exercises such as jumping jacks, or movements required for your sport, at a much lower intensity (at least initially, and then at a higher intensity).
If you have problems with your biomechanical alignment, as most of us do, you are more likely to suffer a lower extremity injury. A variety of other changes can cause problems over time, such as arches dropping too far or slightly misaligned metatarsals. It is better to be safe and avoid such physical sports as they put stress on various structures, tendons, joints, etc. “They're lined up.” It is best to replace the insoles in sports shoes and use some kind of arch support or foot orthotics.
When it comes to shoes, although they are an important part of our support system, including muscles, bones, and tendons, shoes are obviously common. Indeed, there are millions of sports shoe models on the market, so you're almost certain to find one that suits you. Depending on resources and availability, this can be a difficult task for many people.
If any part of your body hurts after a typical pickleball game, you can use the age-old RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Although beliefs about the benefits of icing for acute trauma have changed over the years among many medical professionals, icing is effective for pain. Resting your limbs is best done with one of the many orthotics made for every part of your body. A consistently effective rule is to begin gentle movements to rehabilitate the injured area, without applying great force or stress (no weight bearing).
If you are new to the sport, consider your fitness level before participating. A real strength training routine can be helpful for anyone, but it's especially important for older players, as muscle loss is something that happens to everyone over the years. Calf strains are more likely to occur if you lunge quickly to the side for a pickleball shot when your muscles are weak.
The sport of pickleball is now available to many Americans, and more and more people are taking advantage of it. The social aspect of pickleball is often mentioned as a positive because of the rotating format. That means playing and meeting lots of other people. With a lack of options for fun fitness activities for seniors, pickleball is all the rage and shows no signs of slowing down. Find local games and try them out. Get involved and get your body moving. The human body needs to move.
Dr. Conway McLean, DABFAS, FAPWHc, has offices in Reims and Marquette. He is a physician who specializes in treating disorders of the lower extremities, ankles, and feet.
