Be at the top of your game when it comes to avoiding padel injuries!

Padel is the latest sporting sensation taking the world by storm, with an estimated 25 million players globally. Many are self-proclaimed padel addicts, hooked on this high intensity racquet sport. If you’ve not heard of padel before it’s often described as a cross between squash and tennis. 

Why do people pick up injuries when playing padel?

One of the reasons padel has gained such a following is because it’s relatively simple to pick up as a sport, players will also tell you that it’s highly addictive. This means that many people go from not playing at all to playing multiple times a week. Whilst the health benefits of regular exercise are undeniable, doing too much too quickly, can often lead to injury. 

There are several other reasons that players might pick up injuries, this is because compared to other racquet sports, padel requires a greater range of movements. Most injuries are often to the shoulder or elbow, usually down to the different types of overhead shots, but the sliding and lunging nature of padel can also cause calf or lower leg injuries. It’s not uncommon for people to skip their warmups, which can also make you prone to injuries.

What’s the best way to avoid injuries?

The truth is, as with any sport, warming up is the key to avoiding many injuries. The multidimensional nature of padel means flexibility is key, so some simple stretches that mirror the movements you’ll be making on the court are ideal. The more warming up the better, but if you’ve only got a few minutes before your court opens, it’s still worth using this time to get your stretches in. 

Once you’re on the court, it’s worth doing some lighter rallies before jumping into a competitive game, this will get your body used to the movements and can further reduce your risk of injury. Some injuries are unavoidable, so if you do feel a strain, sprain or any pain, don’t continue with your game. Many of these injuries will improve with rest or simple at home remedies like icing and elevating. However, there are some more serious injuries that will persist and need specialist attention.

Choosing the right sportswear, such as footwear that provides stability, traction and the right cushioning can also minimise your risk of injury. And don’t forget, the cord at the bottom of your padel racquet is a wrist strap, to stop the bat slipping from your hand, whilst it might be tempting to skip this safety measure, it’s highly effective in preventing nasty injuries!

If your worried about an injury or need sports rehabilitation our experts can help.