Why Is Everyone Getting Injured From Playing Pickleball?

"We have lost this narrative about the importance of play," mobility pioneer and certified precision nutrition coach Juliet Starret shares on the mindbodygreen podcast. "It's one of the reasons why I think pickleball is so important and awesome that it's become so popular." 

While we believe the best exercise is the one you'll do, there's something about heading to the gym by yourself that can feel austere or intimidating. "Anytime we can add in something that helps our bodies be durable and is playful is a gigantic win for humans," Starrett adds. Pickleball ticks both boxes. 

But as the sport gains traction, we can't ignore the rising rate of injuries. A study1 in the Journal of Emergency Medicine estimates around 19,000 pickleball injuries per year, and 90% of them affect individuals 50 years or older—although, these injuries aren't simply age-related. 

According to physical therapist Kelly Starrett, who (along with his wife, Juliet) has spent decades working with pro athletes, Olympians, and Navy SEALs, there's a big difference between staying active and maintaining optimal mobility.

"We have a lot of people who have been only [spinning] or running, where they're just doing something in a single direction or a single position," he notes. "Chances are their workout regimen outside of pickleball is very linear." 

Then when they lunge and change directions at high speeds for hours on end, joints and tissues literally start to crumble. "You did your one hour of elliptical, and you thought that was going to prepare and load your tissues. It wasn't," Kelly adds. 

Of course, we'd be remiss not to mention the age-related component here. You likely can't perform at the same speed at 55 as you did when you were 25. Yet many people either ignore their limits or simply don't realize they're pushing themselves to the max—and injuries arise. 

"You know, who never gets injured playing pickleball? All the adults who are in those small soccer pickup games," Kelly explains. "There's so much lateral movement and cutting." 

That's not to say you must join a competitive soccer league, but try to add more sport and play into your exercise regimen if you can. These activities help train your body for a diverse range of movements so your joints aren't as surprised when they hit the pickleball court. 

"If we took a physical therapy view, [we'll likely say], 'Hey, you don't eat enough protein. There are no micronutrients,'" says Kelly. 

See, to heal and rebuild2 new cells and tissue, you need a sufficient amount of protein. Protein is the building block of muscles, after all, and strong muscles are key to prevent injuries.

Protein intake can also impact your recovery from injuries, too: One study even found that eating protein can accelerate the recovery of hip fractures3 in older adults. 

It's easier said than done, but know your limits. "In my 20s, I could get away with a whole lot of stuff that I wouldn't be able to get away with now," notes Yu. "I need to make sure that I'm resting and recovering because my body needs more of that time." 

Pickleball injuries are increasingly common, especially in adults over 50 who aren't as resilient to joint stress. To prevent the statistic from becoming your reality, it's important to focus on a range of movement that strengthens your agility, not just a single-direction exercise.