Pickleball Boom: Almost 50 million people now play pickleball, a sport created 60 years ago. As its popularity rises, players and experts warn that bad habits and injuries are also growing. The game has surged nationally and locally, with more courts, clinics, and new players joining each week.
A Rapidly Growing Sport
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. Multiple locations in many communities now host games daily. However, some players find that the advice shared on the court often comes from others with only slightly more experience.
Experts recommend lessons from trained coaches to avoid picking up bad habits. These habits, they say, can be hard to break once learned early in the game.
A Look Back at Pickleball’s Roots
Olympian and racket sport expert Dick Squires once wrote about pickleball in his 1978 book The Other Racket Sports. Squires, who held national titles in multiple racket sports, included it among 13 sports he reviewed.
In the book, Squires detailed how Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell created the game using old badminton gear. Barney McCallum later joined them, and the three built the sport together.
Pritchard even told his story to a friend, a knee surgeon, explaining how his dog inspired the game’s name.
Concerns About Injuries and Misconceptions
Though some say the sport is a fad or dangerous, players point to the numbers.
Most injuries happen to beginners in their first few clinics. One instructor said, “I assigned spotters to do nothing but keep an eye on beginners… because my experience was that injuries mostly occurred in the first two beginner clinics.”
Players are reminded to stretch, work on balance, and do core exercises to avoid injury. Once they adjust, most avoid major problems.
Pickleball’s Positive Impact on Health
Beyond the court, the sport has helped many people cope with health issues or personal losses. Some critics, especially in health or academic fields, question the safety of the sport.
He recalled a conversation with a nurse: “What is better? A sprained ankle from pickleball or a heart attack from obesity from no exercise?”
What’s Next for the Game?
In future columns, local experts plan to share more about how to prevent injuries. As the sport continues to grow, players and experts are looking for ways to make it safer, more enjoyable, and available to more people.
News in Brief: Pickleball Boom
Nearly 50 million people now play pickleball, but with its growth come rising injury concerns. Experts suggest proper training to avoid bad habits. While critics call it risky, many say pickleball improves health and reduces isolation. New columns will cover injury prevention and court shoe safety for players.
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