Pickleball Risks for Players Over 50: Pickleball, a popular sport for maintaining physical fitness and socializing, comes with significant injury risks, especially for players over 50. Recent studies have shown that 90% of pickleball-related injuries that required emergency room visits affected individuals aged 50 and older. Notably, sprains and fractures accounted for half of these injuries.
In 2023, these injuries led to over $350 million in medical costs. Additionally, between 2002 and 2022, fractures related to pickleball surged by an alarming 90-fold, particularly among players aged 60 to 69.
The Most Common Pickleball Injuries
For older pickleball players, several types of injuries are most prevalent:
- Strains and Sprains: Making up 33.2% of pickleball-related injuries in seniors.
- Fractures: Representing 28.1% of injuries.
- Contusions and Abrasions: Comprising 10.6% of injuries among older players.
- Wrist Injuries: Especially common in older female players, who are nine times more likely to suffer a wrist fracture than their male counterparts.
- Lower Extremity Injuries: Accounting for 29% of all injuries, including lower leg (12.9%), ankle (6.1%), knee (5.9%), and foot (2.1%) injuries.
- Upper Extremity Injuries: Representing 33% of all injuries, with wrist (13.2%) and shoulder (5.4%) injuries being the most common.
- Head Injuries: Although less frequent, they make up 12% of injuries among older pickleball enthusiasts.
Preventive Measures
To reduce the risk of injury, players are advised to adopt the following preventive practices:
- Warm Up Properly: Prior to playing, players should stretch and warm up muscles, focusing on areas prone to strain such as shoulders, wrists, knees, and ankles.
- Wear Appropriate Footwear: Good court shoes with adequate ankle support and cushioning are essential. Worn-out shoes should be avoided to prevent slips and falls.
- Use Proper Technique: Correct form for serving, swinging, and movement is crucial to prevent overuse injuries and falls.
- Stay Hydrated: Adequate hydration is important to avoid muscle cramps and fatigue, thus reducing injury risk.
- Take Breaks: Players should recognize their limits and take regular breaks to avoid overexertion. Resting when discomfort arises is important.
- Strengthen Key Muscle Groups: Enhancing core, leg, and upper body strength helps stabilize movements and prevent injuries like sprains and fractures.
The Importance of Personal Accidental Injury Insurance
Understanding one’s deductible is critical for financial protection in the event of an accident. High-deductible health plans can lead to substantial out-of-pocket costs before coverage begins. In 2023, the average deductible for family coverage was $3,400, adding to medical expenses and lost wages.
Personal accidental injury insurance is a valuable tool for bridging coverage gaps. Emerge offers affordable accidental injury insurance, designed to cover deductibles, co-pays, and other expenses. Their plans start as low as $1 per day, with cash benefits paid directly to the insured and fast, easy enrollment.
What to Know About Emerge Insurance?
Emerge provides specialized insurance for recreational athletes, including pickleball players, both on and off the court. The coverage is affordable, beginning at $1 per day, and includes direct cash benefits. Enrollment is quick, taking less than 10 minutes.
News in Brief: Pickleball Risks for Players Over 50
A recent study highlights that 90% of pickleball injuries in emergency rooms involve players over 50, with sprains and fractures being the most common. These injuries resulted in over $350 million in costs in 2023, with fractures increasing 90-fold over two decades.
To mitigate injury risks, players should focus on proper warm-up, footwear, and technique. Personal accidental injury insurance from Emerge offers a solution for high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, with affordable rates and swift enrollment options.
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