As the vibrant sport of padel, or padel tennis, surges in popularity across South Africa, players are drawn to the fast-paced action and the social community surrounding the game.
However, with this rise in participants, medical experts are raising alarms over a disturbing trend: the increase in injuries among both novice and seasoned players.
Dr Ashley Naidoo, an orthopaedic surgeon with specialised experience in upper limb and sports injuries at Netcare Waterfall Hospital’s Sports Orthopaedic Surgery Centre, highlights the dual-edged nature of the sport. “Padel is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise,” he asserts.
“However, the influx of amateur players has led to a noticeable rise in injuries, particularly affecting the knees, shoulders, elbows, and ankles.”
Research from Europe reveals that roughly 36% of recreational padel players sustain injuries annually, with about 2.8 injuries occurring for every 1,000 hours of play.
“Many injuries predominantly affect the lower limbs, including ankle sprains and strained calves and thighs, as well as issues like Achilles tendonitis, common particularly among those over 30 and beginners,” Dr Naidoo explains.
The upper limbs aren’t spared either; pain and strains in the elbow, shoulder, and wrist are frequently reported, especially among players who use heavier rackets or are still refining their playing technique.
“Many of these injuries can be avoided,” Dr Naidoo adds.
“Prevention is always better than treating an injury, and with padel’s growing following, I encourage everyone to weave injury prevention into their preparation.”
Complementing Dr Naidoo’s insights, physiotherapist Ulaysha Narandas from Netcare Waterfall City SOS emphasises another critical factor in injury prevention: warming up.
“European and Latin American studies consistently show that a lack of structured warm-ups significantly raises the risk of injuries,” she notes.
“Early match injuries, particularly in the knees and calves, are often due to cold muscles being pushed too hard without adequate preparation.”
Narandas recommends a structured routine: “Start each session with 10 minutes of active movement, including light jogging, mobility drills, and dynamic stretching. After playing, incorporate static stretches for your legs, forearms, and lower back to alleviate tightness and hasten recovery.”
In an effort to combat the rising injury statistics, Netcare Waterfall City Hospital offers a structured smart training programme. This comprehensive course combines education with practical training tailored for padel players aiming to elevate their game while minimising injury risk.
The programme leverages pneumatic resistance equipment to deliver safe, measurable strength training suitable for players of all ages. It focuses on exercises to enhance arm and shoulder control, lower limb stability, and single-leg balance, all essential for the agility required in padel.
Other preventative measures extend to the choice of footwear. “Padel is often played on synthetic turf with sand infill, necessitating proper lateral grip and ankle support. General trainers and running shoes do not provide these features and significantly increase the likelihood of injuries,” Dr Naidoo warns.
“Shoes designed specifically for padel or clay surfaces are your safest option. Recent data from Spain indicates that hybrid or omni-soles may further reduce impact forces compared to standard herringbone designs.”
Ultimately, Dr Naidoo concludes that with a combination of smart training, proper preparation, suitable footwear, and evidence-based rehabilitation approaches, players can safely enjoy the exhilarating thrills of padel, whether socially or competitively.
“No matter your age, if you play wisely today, you can remain on the court and pain-free for years to come.”
IOL
