Pickle-ball: The Fastest Growing Sport in the U.S.

Pickleball has been making waves in the sporting world, establishing itself as the fastest-growing sport in the United States (DeMelo 2022). This unique game, often described as a delightful blend of tennis, badminton, and pingpong, offers versatility in its playing formats. Whether it's singles or doubles, indoors or outdoors, pickleball caters to enthusiasts year-round, making it an ideal pastime.

As pickleball's meteoric rise in popularity continues, it becomes increasingly imperative for personal trainers to grasp the biomechanics of this dynamic sport. Their understanding can help safeguard clients from potential injuries and enhance their performance on the pickleball court.

In essence, proficiency in pickleball demands a range of movements, and players should be capable of executing the following actions effectively:

- Full range of motion for arm and shoulder movements

- Spinal rotation, bending, and extension

- Hip flexibility, allowing for adduction and abduction

- Proper knee bending

- Adequate ankle bending and rotation

By ensuring that clients can execute these movements, personal trainers and manual therapists can not only boost their clients' enjoyment of the sport but also significantly reduce the risk of injuries.

Ensuring Injury Prevention and Optimal Performance

As more people embrace pickleball, it is vital for your manual therapist and personal trainer to comprehend the essential movements required for this rapidly popular sport. This knowledge will enable them to select appropriate corrective exercises to prevent injuries and design performance-enhancing workouts to elevate your' playing abilities.

Understanding the biomechanics of pickleball is crucial for personal trainers and players alike. This knowledge empowers you to select appropriate corrective exercises to prevent injuries and optimize your clients' workouts. In this article, we'll explore the biomechanics of three fundamental aspects of pickleball: groundstrokes, dinks and volleys, and overhead smashes.

Groundstrokes

Groundstrokes in pickleball share similarities with tennis. Players often use forehand groundstrokes for underhand serves and both forehand and backhand groundstrokes for various shots, including returns, approach shots, and passing shots.

To execute a groundstroke effectively, the body must coordinate various elements. This involves a moderate degree of hip and spine rotation during the backswing and follow-through, as well as the ability for the arms and shoulders to move in multiple directions while swinging the paddle. Furthermore, proper balance and weight transfer are maintained through the flexion of ankles, knees, and hips, while the spine adjusts to different body positions and techniques, bending forward and side-to-side

Dinks and Volleys

Dinks and volleys come into play when players advance toward the kitchen line near the net. These shots demand quick lateral movements, as well as the ability to bend low to return balls below net height.

Executing dinks and volleys involves substantial bending of ankles, knees, and hips. The lateral motions require the hips to abduct and adduct while rotating alongside the ankles. Like groundstrokes, the spine must be flexible, bending forward, rotating, and moving side-to-side. Successful execution also relies on the mobility of the arms and shoulders in multiple planes to position the paddle accurately.

Overhead Smashes

While overhead smashes are less common in pickleball, understanding their biomechanics is essential for injury prevention. This shot involves reaching up to return a lobbed ball over the opponent's head.

Performing an overhead smash requires the body to straighten or extend, including the ankles, knees, hips, and spine, in contrast to the bending motions seen in other pickleball movements. Coaches and players should be aware of the unique mechanics involved in overhead smashes to minimize injury risks when performing this skill.

In conclusion, grasping the biomechanics of pickleball's key movements is vital for optimizing performance and minimizing the potential for injuries. Whether you're a player or a manual therapist to personal trainer, this knowledge will help you choose the right exercises and techniques to enhance your pickleball experience.