The sport of the summer may be fun, but it may be more dangerous than we think

Pickleball might be the sport of the summer – but be careful!

According to CNN, Americans are projected to spend more than $370 million on health care related to pickleball injuries this year alone! And one group needs to be a little more careful than others: older individuals.

A 2021 medical study by the UBS Group says 86% of emergency department visits for pickleball between 2010 and 2019 involved people 60 or older. The most common injuries were sprains, strains and fractures, followed by bruises, internal injuries, cuts and dislocations – and those numbers were before the pandemic, when pickleball really became popular.

“Today’s seniors’ ‘can-do’ attitude poses a greater risk of sports injuries, leading to a higher number of orthopedic procedures,” the analysts said.

The number of pickleball players skyrocketed from 3.5 million in 2019 to 8.9 million in 2022, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. The UBS analysts predict that the player count will reach a staggering 22 million this year.

While pickleball is enjoyable and engaging, it’s crucial for players, especially seniors, to take precautions and make sure they warm up to prevent injuries. As the sport gains popularity, everyone needs to be careful to make sure their summer fun won’t hit their wallet!

Do you play pickleball? Have you been injured playing the sport? Let us know here!