Professional sports massage therapist Mohd Azlan Othman said the shift towards modern equipment and faster gameplay has significantly changed how the sport is enjoyed.
Carbon-fibre paddles and quicker balls have increased the pace of the sport, forcing players into more aggressive footwork and rapid lateral movement.
“Rallies are now much faster, with aggressive speed-ups and side-to-side movement,” he told Bernama. “In rehabilitation science, injuries often happen when the physical load exceeds what the muscles can handle.”
Azlan, who has worked with elite athletes at the paralympic level, said many players underestimate the time needed for the body to adapt to increased playing intensity.
Without proper conditioning, frequent play can lead to problems such as ankle sprains, knee injuries and muscle strain, he cautioned.
Meanwhile, physiotherapist Aiman Arief Abdul Aziz pointed out that the sport’s quick lateral movement and sudden stops place significant stress on joints and ligaments.
“The transition from casual play to a more aggressive style often happens without proper strength training,” he said.
This places great strain particularly on the ankles, hips and knee joints – especially the ACL and MCL ligaments – as players rush to chase fast balls across the court.
Physiotherapy clinics, he noted, are seeing a growing number of pickleball-related injuries. The trend mirrors developments overseas: according to ESPN, pickleball-related medical costs in the United States reached about US$350 million in 2023.
International data has also shown a sharp rise in emergency cases, including a 90-fold increase in fracture incidents since 2020 often caused by falls on court.
Older players may face higher risks, particularly those aged 40 and above, as reduced tissue elasticity makes them more vulnerable to injury.
Nevertheless, the appeal of the sport continues to grow. Muhamad Rohaizam Latib, president of the Klang Valley-based Laughing Pickle Club, said many players quickly become hooked on the sport.
“Players often chase every ball even when they’re off balance,” he said. “Many social players also step onto the court and start smashing straight away without warming up.”
To reduce the risk of injury, he recommends that players spend 10 to 15 minutes on dynamic warm-ups before starting a game.
Proper preparation, he explained, helps activate the nervous system and prepares muscles for the explosive movements that pickleball now demands.
As the sport continues to evolve, experts say enthusiasm should be balanced with preparation. After all, a game meant for fun should not end with a trip to the clinic.