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Pickleball seems like the perfect sport for seniors. It’s a low-impact activity that offers a strong degree of competitiveness. It’s easy and affordable to get started. Pickleball courts are popping up all over the nation, offering a place for folks to gather and play. It’s also a place where you can make new friends and broaden your social circle.
Many older Americans are taking up the racquet, fueling a wild growth spurt for the sport. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, pickleball players in the United States increased from 3.5 million in 2019 to 8.9 million in 2022 (that’s an increase of 154%). That number is expected to jump to a whopping 22 million by 2024.1
A full 60% of players are over the age of 55, while more than one-third of those players are seniors 65 and older, according to Lee Health.2 That means that an elder adult will usually find peers on the court.
If you decide to play, it’s a good idea to have an emergency button alarm with you, just in case. While most players will simply enjoy the good exercise and never worry about the dangers of the sport, some will fall victim to the growing number of injuries hospitals and emergency rooms are seeing as a result of pickleball. Having a way to reach out for help the moment an injury occurs can give you strong peace of mind.
What Are the Dangers of Pickleball?
There is a downside to pickleball, and that’s the surprising increase in pickleball-related injuries, especially for seniors. According to a study by UBS Group, by the end of this year, pickleball is projected to result in:
· $377 million in healthcare costs
· 366,000 outpatient visits to the doctor
· 67,000 emergency room visits
· 9,000 surgeries
Seniors make up 86% of all those ER visits as a result of pickleball injuries. The majority of those injuries include sprains, strains, and fractures. Ultimately, injuries related to pickleball are expected to cost $500 million for Americans in 2023, with that number sure to go up in 2024.3
Injuries are common among seniors for a wide variety of reasons:
· Some might be out of shape, living a sedentary lifestyle, and looking to improve their health; many choose to go full speed ahead, not realizing that they need to ease into exercise.
· Seniors tend to have brittle bones, which can turn a simple tumble into a serious fracture.
· Some with chronic conditions might not be able to handle exertion as well as they used to.
· Certain medications can bring dizziness or fatigue, which can lead to falls.
· Some players love the socialization so much that they will continue to play well after their body is telling them to stop. That leads to overuse of the joints and muscles, which can make a person more prone to injury.
For active seniors, an on-the-go medical alert necklace or pendant with GPS and fall detection is an excellent idea. If you are severely injured, time is of the essence. The sooner you get to the hospital and get the proper treatment, the better your medical outcome could be. But even if the injury isn’t too severe, you still need to get medical attention to ensure that you don’t make a bad situation even worse. Medical alerts, or personal emergency response systems, can help.
Staying Safe While Playing Pickleball
Pickleball is a very straightforward game, but it’s not necessarily an easy game. Pickleball can get your heart rate up fast and keep it there. You can face opponents of any age and from any fitness level, from serious athletes to couch potatoes. One game might have you taking your time on the court, while another might have you panting.
These tips can help you stay safe.
· Prepare before you step onto the court. When it’s time to go into battle, be ready! Start by eating something light yet nutritious, to avoid feeling faint and dizzy when the game gets going. Wear appropriate clothing that won’t get too hot – moisture-wicking material is best, as is 100% cotton. Choose the right shoes and make sure your equipment fits you well. And most importantly, stretch! Take several minutes to stretch and warm up before you begin playing on a pickleball court. To be even more careful, make a point of taking the first game very slowly. Easing your body into the exercise is an excellent way to stay as safe as possible.
· Engage in other exercise. Look to other exercise to round out the experience of pickleball. Not only does it keep you from getting bored, it also helps ensure that your body gets all the exercise it needs. Add in strength training to work other muscles in different ways. Take some time to stretch thoroughly, thus improving your flexibility. If you want to do the absolute best for your body, talk to a personal trainer about how to make pickleball a more effective exercise and get a plan for adding other exercises to the mix to improve senior whole health.
· Know your limitations. Pickleball might get you moving, and that’s great! But if it’s been a while since you embarked on any physical activity, it’s important to go slowly. Pickleball is so accessible and enjoyable that it can be tough to remember to ease into the game. Before you begin playing pickleball, be honest with yourself about how much you can handle and work up to more games or more vigorous challenges.
· Talk to your doctor. Before you begin any sort of new exercise program, speak with your doctor about how safe it is for you. If you have a heart or lung condition, for instance, pickleball might not be recommended. You might also have trouble with pickleball if you already have issues with your knees or hips, as the sport requires quick pivots. Your doctor should give you the “all clear” before proceeding with pickleball.
· Use appropriate shoes. To lower your risk of falls, choose shoes that are designed to be worn on the pickleball court. Sturdy yet flexible athletic shoes with slightly textured soles can help you stay upright and play better. Take your time to “break in” the shoes by walking in them for a few days or weeks before taking them onto the court with you. If you have any foot problems, speak to your podiatrist before embarking on pickleball.
· Wear a medical alert device. Senior alert systems are an excellent idea anytime, but can be especially helpful when you are engaging in exercise or other physical activity. If you suffer a fall, accident, or medical emergency while on the court, simply press the button to get help on the way fast. Pressing the button immediately helps avoid the confusion that might ensue if you’ve fallen and can’t get up.
· Stop at the first sign of injury. If you feel that initial pain of a strain, put down the racquet and take some time to assess. While the adrenaline rush of the sport might make you want to press on, keep in mind that injuries get worse when they aren’t treated right away. And in fact, a small strain could turn into a serious sprain or worse if you keep pushing through.
· Use the RICE method for treating injuries at home. If you have an injury but don’t feel that it warrants going to the doctor, consider using the RICE method at home. Rest, avoiding using the injured area as much as possible. Use ice packs – you can opt for a bag of frozen veggies with a cloth between the frozen bag and your skin. Use compression by wrapping the injured area with an elastic bandage (often called ACE bandages). And elevate the injured area above the level of your heart to reduce swelling and pain.
If at any point you feel as though you have suffered more than the most minor strain, go to the doctor to get checked out. And remember that injuries to your limbs aren’t the only dangers of pickleball. The physical exertion could become too much for some. Look for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as heart problems or issues with breathing. All of these issues are medical emergencies that need prompt attention.
A medical alert watch, wristband or pendant from Alert1 can provide the peace of mind you need to navigate both on and off the court with confidence. That confidence can actually lower your risk of falls, make you a better player, and give you even more benefit from the cardiovascular work your body is doing as you play. Take Alert1 with you and enjoy protection at every pickleball game!
