Pickleball mixes abrupt high-level salvos with controlled low-level volleys. This can offer fantastic health advantages as well as amazing athletic difficulties. Pickleball and similar activities promote bone density, muscle tone, cardiovascular fitness, balance, agility, and coordination. Here are some pointers to help you stay injury-free and perform at your best while pickling.
GARMENTSClothing that fits loosely without being baggy promotes the best possible blood circulation and joint mobility, which lessens cramping and muscular fatigue. The ideal clothing is constructed of materials that have the ability to wick. They keep you cool and comfortable by swiftly moving perspiration to the outside of your clothing so it can dry quickly.
SHOES Surface-appropriate footwear is essential whether you’re playing indoors or outside. Because running shoes are made to go only forward and offer minimal lateral support, a court-style shoe is also crucial. Your knees, ankles, and feet will experience less strain if the shoe is low to the ground and has shock absorption capabilities. In order to avoid blisters and other foot discomfort, the shoe should also fit properly. How long has it been since you had your feet measured?
PADDLESThe most crucial component of a pickleball paddle is the grip. You must press the handle too firmly if your grip is too small, which might wear you out and cause tendinitis. It is challenging to hold onto and switch hand positions when the grip is too large. Use your paddle to shake hands. The distance between your thumb and finger should be roughly one finger’s breadth. In the end, the ideal grip size is one that permits a complete range of motion and is just big enough to play with comfortably. Although a handle wrap will alter the overall grip size, the handle should be padded to absorb impact.
COURT: Newer courts tend to be superior. They are free of wear-related fissures and slick places, and their lines are new. Make sure you feel comfortable playing on that nearly dry court and look for any debris. Turn on the lights a few minutes before you think you’ll need to if you’re playing in the late afternoon. Additionally, keep in mind that it’s always pleasant to take a rest on a court with some surrounding shade.
GO FOR IT!Always prepare your body by simulating the action before engaging in any physically demanding activity, such as pickleball, yard labor, or pumpkin chucking. Step forward and then sideways to play pickleball. Look up, down, everywhere. Extend your body downward and upward. Bend over, sideways and twist. Start the warmup slowly increasing in intensity until you are breathing a bit harder and maybe breaking a slight sweat. If you re afraid this will make you look silly, do it at home just before leaving for the court. Frankly, I d rather look silly than nurse my injury from the sidelines.
DRINK UPWater is a healthier choice than sports drinks. Water is what your body craves most when physically stressed. Unless you re playing for a long time in the heat and humidity, your body can do without the added sugar, caffeine, etc. that most sports drinks are loaded with. Your body actually has to use more water to push that stuff out of your system than it absorbs.
BEGINNER S LUCKIf you re new to the sport, take a lesson or three. There is great value in learning the proper way to do anything including pickleball. Good form will help you play better, have more fun and avoid injury.
JUST IN CASEEven with the best preventive measures pain and injury can happen. If you experience pain or injury beyond simple muscle soreness Dr. Hall is uniquely trained to treat common pickleball injuries, such as tennis elbow, shoulder injuries, low back pain, sprained ankles and knees. He is an expert at both sports injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Dr. David Hall is the owner of Hall Chiropractic Center. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Hall is proud to serve the residents of Tega Cay and Fort Mill.
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