Playing any kind of sports always entails risks of injuries. Racquetball is one sports activity that can be risky considering the speed of play and the equipments used (racquets and balls).
However, it is a given that sports injuries serious, superficial or life-threatening can always be avoided, if you take precautions. Aside from the protection gears you have to wear, the following are some reminders for you to deal with your racquetball-related injuries.
Eye protection
Racquetball is considered a lightweight sport compared to others which can produce some terrible life-threatening injuries. On the other hand, it is one of the most injury-prone sports because of the speed of the ball traveling inside the small confines of the playing court.
Ninety-five percent of these injuries consist of being hit in the eyes by the ball. Interior bleeding in the eye socket, lacerations, bleeding eyelids, abrasions, swollen eyes these are some of the most common eye injuries.
Wearing proper eye gear prevents serious injuries to the eye. Be sure to check if your goggles are properly recommended by the American Standard of Testing and Materials, and the Canadian Standards Association.
Feet protection
Racquetball is one game where you do a lot of running. It follows that you have to take care of your feet all throughout the game.
Ankle sprains can sideline you for at least a week and disrupt your activities. Achilles tendon injuries are rare but they need proper medical care.
Blisters and calluses occur most often if you have the wrong footwear or if they are a new pair and had not been broken in yet. Dont throw the old pair until you have the new ones fit your feet just right. Afterwards, you can play a hard game with them.
Elbow protection
They may call it tennis elbow, but this injury also happens to racquetball players. (Only 5% of all cases happen to tennis players.)
Symptoms consist of pain around the elbow joint, with tenderness occurring on or below the bony bump. Natural expansive arm movements (even simple grip movements) can cause pain and aggravate the injury. Follow your doctors advice.
Next, check with your racquetball expert for improper technique in racquet handling. Is your grip wrong? What about the size and type of your racquet?
Shoulder protection
Shoulder injury is caused by using the shoulders and not correctly using the side of the body in swinging your racquet. These injuries usually develop from a past fall or a slam on the wall.
Remember: Use the whole side of the body in swinging the racquet, NOT the shoulders.
Knee protection
All the running and pivoting around on your feet is tough on your knees. In racquetball, all types of knee injuries are possible.
These injuries are sneaky, too. They begin with a dull ache somewhere around the sides or back of the knee right after playing. Later on, the pain comes in before, during, and after your play.
Get yourself an expert to teach you the right stretching and conditioning program for your knees. (While you are at it, you might as well include all the necessary conditioning moves for all the body parts that complement your racquetball playing.)
Racquetball is supposed to be fun. Avoid injuries before they can happen.
