Our competitions are officially live, and someone will soon claim the title of first ever winner. Will it be you?
As padel becomes increasingly popular across the globe, people from all walks of life are joining in on the fun and games – old and young, professional and amateur alike, as well as differently-abled individuals.
But the growth of the sport presents more opportunity for injury. A common example is a player who develops the tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis), which can occur from overusing the muscles and tendons in the elbow, particularly among amateur players.
With the growing number of padel players globally, experts warn of increasingly common injuries – like tennis elbow – associated with this racket sport.
Sports News Blitz’s padel writer Shameeka Voyiya delves further into what players need to know.
Common injuries usually arise from the dynamic movements involved in gameplay, including sudden sprints, quick changes of direction and repetitive movements.
“Many of the common padel injuries affect the lower limbs, with ankle sprains, overused knees, calf and thigh strains, and Achilles tendon [are] problems fairly common – particularly in players over 30 and in those who are new to the game,” Dr. Ashley Naidoo, orthopaedic surgeon, told IOL.
“Padel players should also be aware of the risk of upper limb injuries, as pain or strains affecting the elbow, shoulder, and wrist are also prevalent, especially among players using heavy rackets and less experienced players who are still working on improving their technique.”
Indeed, a shift from not playing a racket sport at all to potentially playing multiple times a week will likely cause strain on your body.
The rate of injury for padel players is three per 1,000 hours of training and eight per 1,000 matches. The overall prevalence range is 40 per cent to 95 per cent, according to current physiotherapy literature.
Other causes of injury include insufficient warming up, skipping warm ups entirely or using the wrong equipment, as padel rackets come in varying levels of weight and softness.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Match Point Competitions: Changing the game for racket sport players
Naidoo stressed the importance of appropriate footwear in the prevention of injury.
“Padel is played on synthetic turf, often with sand infill, and requires lateral grip and ankle support. Running shoes and general trainers are unsuitable, increasing the risk of slipping or ankle rolls,” he said.
“Footwear designed specifically for padel or clay tennis surfaces offers the best protection.”
Other experts recommend building overall muscle strength using a regular exercise routine.
It’s also advised that players choose a racket that suits their playing style and strength, as an inappropriate racket can lead to strain.
“By combining smart training, proper preparation, suitable footwear, and evidence-based rehabilitation, players of all ages can enjoy padel while minimising injury risk.
“Whether you’re playing socially or competitively, whether you’re 25 or 65, playing smart today can help you stay on court and pain free for years to come,” Naidoo said.
READ NEXT: Justine Henin exclusive: Seven-time Grand Slam Champion on pressure, passion and future tennis stars