How to Prevent Pickleball Injuries

Pickleball, which has been the fastest-growing sport in America in recent years, is a hybrid of badminton, tennis and table tennis. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, pickleball participation increased by 159% over the past three years. There are a number of reasons why pickleball is so popular. If you have a pickleball court near you, all you’ll need are pickleball paddles, balls and a couple of people to play with. Plus, it’s a fun, active game that can make getting your daily activity in feel like a breeze.

In 2018, just before the sport’s popularity exploded, the American Council on Exercise sponsored research that explored whether pickleball can help middle-aged and older adults get fit.

Is Pickleball Good Exercise?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity per week. Playing pickleball can help you reach those physical activity guidelines.

Research shows that the average caloric expenditure for the pickleball participants is approximately 350 calories burned for every 60 minutes of participation. Based on these results, it’s clear that regular participation in pickleball elicits cardiovascular and metabolic responses that meet exercise intensity guidelines for improving and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness. This means pickleball can be an ideal form of physical activity for many adults.

Mental Health Benefits of Pickleball

The physical benefits of pickleball aren’t the only advantage of the up-and-coming sport Research into the mental health benefits of pickleball found that pickleball players saw improvements in the several measures of mental health, including personal well-being, life satisfaction, depression, stress and happiness. Importantly, there is a sense of fun and camaraderie on the court, even if the competition level can sometimes be fierce.

The importance of having fun while moving cannot be overstated, as enjoyment is one of the primary predictors of adherence to an exercise or physical-activity program. Additionally, exercising with others can help you stay on track with your fitness goals.