Staying Healthy
Stay safe playing pickleball
How to avoid injuries playing America's fastest-growing sport.
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Pickleball continues to skyrocket in popularity. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, the number of pickleball players in the United States increased from 3.5 million in 2019 to 8.9 million in 2022, a 154% surge.
"Unfortunately, more playing leads to a higher incidence of injuries, especially among older adults," says Linda Murray, an orthopedic clinical specialist with Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Outpatient Center Malden. In fact, a study in the December 2021 issue of Injury Epidemiology found that more than 85% of pickleball injuries involved players ages 60 and older.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
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