How can junior players stay safe and healthy playing their favorite sport
Injuries are part of everyone's athletic journey, including mine. Tennis is fun and addictive, but it is definitely a physically demanding sport. How prone players are to injuries depends on their age, level and amount of time spent playing the sport. Competitive junior players spend a lot of time training and competing at tournaments which increase their risk, but being aware of the types of tennis injuries and following ways to prevent them will significantly lower their risk.
How to Prevent Tennis Injuries
WARM UP AND COOL DOWN
Always warm up and cool down with stretches and exercises before and after tennis
STRETCHING AND STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
Incorporate stretching & strengthening exercises into your exercise regiment
CHECK YOUR RACKET
Make sure your racket's size, weight and handle grip size are right for you
HOW ABOUT THE STRINGS?
Make sure you select the right strings and tension.
DO YOU HAVE RIGHT TECHNIQUES?
Learn from a qualified instructor the right techniques and skills
SUPPORTIVE FOOTWEAR
Wear tennis shoes to support, protect and cushion your feet
AVOID UNEVEN AND WET SURFACES
Never play on a wet court and look out for uneven surfaces
STOP PLAYING WHEN HURT
Stop playing if you are injured to prevent further injuries. Seek doctor's advice on when to resume play. If needed, use tape or brace to prevent injuries.
COMMON TYPES OF INJURIES
Tennis players are often afflicted with injuries because of repetitive motions, from serving, swinging the racket to running with sudden starts and stops.
Insurance Coverage & High Costs are Barriers to Physical Therapy Treatment
Have you ever wondered why some patients do not continue with their much needed physical therapy, orthopedic & chiropractic treatments? Some of the reasons is the rising health care costs and the lack of Universal Health Care system to provide healthcare for all. I did further research into why the United States lack universal health care.
WORK CITED
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Kaiser P, Stock K, Benedikt S, et al. Acute Tennis Injuries in the Recreational Tennis Player.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021;9(1). doi:10.1177/2325967120973672
McGee, Suzanna. “Injury Prevention and Healing Techniques for Tennis Players.” New York
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Quinn, Elizabeth. “Common Tennis Injuries Includes Knee, Shoulder, and Wrist Pain.”
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Staff, Excel. “Slamming the Most Common Tennis Injuries.” Excel Physical Therapy, 14 July
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