Page 46 - SanFelipe

The Pickleball Revolution
Some advice and a little guidence on staying healthy in the game!

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Easy to learn and a
low-impact the sport, it has quickly become a popular activity in San Felipe for people
55 and older. The benefits of pickleball go beyond just the physical: recent studies have
revealed that the socialization of pickleball contributes to improved life satisfaction and
lowering levels of depression in older adults.
San Felipe’s physiotherapist, Ivette Osuna, has found that with all these positive benefits,
there has been a greater risk of pickleball related injuries affecting people aged 50 and
older, who are increasingly coming to her clinic for therapy. The most common injuries
are shoulder strain, caused by overextending the shoulder and rotator cuff, and ankle
or wrist sprains. Other common injuries include plantar fascists, an inflammation of the
tissue running across the bottom of the foot, Achilles tendinitis caused by repetitive stress
on the tissue connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone, and fall fractures, most common
among older women as they tend to have less bone density than men.

“There is less elasticity in the soft tissues of older adults, so they are more likely to get
damaged and micro-tear,” Ivette said. “But by no means should you stop playing pickleball,
just prepare with warm up and stretches before each game.” She recommends the
following dynamic warm-up exercises such as knee lifts, butt kicks and some fast
walking around the court. Then include some stretches like forward lunges with rotation,
lateral lunges, inchworms, leg swings, and arm circles.
And don’t forget to fuel your body before, during, and after your matches with hydration.
It is important for your safety, especially if you will be playing outdoors in the heat.
Without proper hydration, your body is not able to regulate heat.

If you experience an injury from pickleball, it is important to seek proper treatment. In the event
of an emergency, you should seek immediate medical assistance. For other non-emergency
46 injuries, visit a physiotherapist to evaluate your injury and provide an effective treatment plan.