Despite a 2020 study indicating that 91% of pickleball injuries affect those over 50, health experts argue that the sport’s benefits outweigh the risks, particularly for older adults. They emphasize that inactivity poses a greater threat to health and independence than occasional strains. Physiotherapist Christien Bird highlights fitness as a key predictor of long-term well-being, urging encouragement of activities like pickleball, hiking, and dancing to combat age-related fragility, especially for women experiencing menopause. She advocates for supervised strength training and joyful movement to build confidence and strength, viewing exercise as “medicine.” The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) promotes the sport nationwide, fostering participation across all ages and skill levels.
Highlights
Here are the highlights:
* A study showed 91% of pickleball injuries involve people over 50, sparking safety concerns.
* Experts argue inactivity is a bigger health risk than minor pickleball injuries, especially for older adults.
* They advocate for supervised strength training and joyful movement like pickleball to combat frailty.
Pickleball: A Fountain of Youth or Risky Business for Seniors?
Embracing Activity Over Inactivity in Later Life
Is pickleball, the rapidly growing sport loved by millions, a secret weapon against aging or a recipe for disaster for older adults? Recent statistics have sparked a debate, but experts are overwhelmingly clear: the benefits of staying active far outweigh the risks of minor injuries.
According to a 2020 study reported by The Guardian, a significant 91% of pickleball injuries involved individuals over 50. This figure might raise eyebrows, but health professionals are urging caution against misinterpreting the data. The real threat, they argue, isn’t pickleball, but the sedentary lifestyle it can replace.
"Most pickleball players are over 50," emphasizes Christien Bird, a pelvic health physiotherapist and co-founder of the Menopause Movement. "I’d rather see active, smiling people with the odd strain than a generation glued to the sofa. The real health crisis isn’t overexercising – it’s inactivity."
The Stark Reality of Inactivity:
- Fitness is the number one predictor of long-term health and independence.
- Ageing is inevitable, but frailty is not.
- Menopausal women face accelerated bone and muscle loss, making activity even more crucial.
- A staggering 84% of inactive menopausal women want to be more active.
- 90% of those women would exercise if advised by a professional.
The pervasive societal acceptance of older women becoming frail and inactive, "behind a Zimmer frame with no bum in her trousers," needs to be challenged, Bird passionately argues.
Exercise as Medicine: A Call to Action
Bird passionately advocates for supervised strength training and movement that brings joy, calling exercise nothing short of "medicine". She emphasizes:
"Let’s encourage pickleball, hiking or dancing — anything that builds confidence and keeps people strong. Injuries we can manage. Frailty, we can’t."
Instead of discouraging activities like pickleball, we need to create environments that support and encourage safe participation.
Pickleball in India: A Growing Force
The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), the official governing body for the sport in India, is dedicated to promoting and developing pickleball nationwide. Affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association (APA) and the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), the IPA inspires players of all ages and skill levels.
The Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) system, a national ranking system spanning all age groups, skill divisions, and formats, serves as the official National Sports Federation Ranking for India.
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FAQ
Okay, here are 12 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) based on the provided text, focusing on information someone interested in pickleball, especially in India, might ask:
Pickleball & the Indian Pickleball Association: FAQs
- What is pickleball, and why is it gaining popularity? (Based on the implication of it being a "sport that’s sweeping the globe").
- Is pickleball safe for older adults? (Based on the article’s discussion of injuries and the counter-argument about the dangers of inactivity).
- What are the benefits of pickleball for older adults? (Based on the arguments in the article re fitness and independence).
- How can I prevent injuries while playing pickleball? (Implied from the article).
- What is the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA)?
- What is the role of the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA)? (Specifically, "promoting, developing, and organising the sport.")
- How is the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) connected to international pickleball organizations? (Based on the mentions of APA and GPF).
- What is Pickleball World Ranking (PWR)?
- How does Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) work? (Spanning age groups, skill divisions, and formats).
- How does Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) help players get selected to different teams? (School, district, state, and national).
- Where can I find the latest pickleball news and updates? (Referencing the Instagram account).
- How can I become involved in the Indian pickleball community? (Encouraging followership on Instagram).