Injury Risks Rise as Popularity of Recreational Sports Grows

As recreational sports like pickleball gain popularity, experts warn of increasing injury risks among participants. Many athletes, eager to engage, often lack proper conditioning and recovery strategies, leading to common injuries. Dr. Hadafi Fitri Mohd Latip emphasizes the importance of recognizing early warning signs and adopting preventive measures. This article delves into the types of injuries prevalent in recreational sports and offers practical advice for safe participation, highlighting the need for education to ensure that exercise enhances quality of life rather than causing long-term disabilities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 2, 2026, 17:42 IST

The Surge in Recreational Sports Participation

The increasing interest in sports like pickleball and padel is motivating more individuals to adopt active lifestyles. However, sports medicine professionals are cautioning that many amateur athletes may be exposing themselves to unnecessary injury risks. According to Dr. Hadafi Fitri Mohd Latip, a senior lecturer in Sports Science at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, there has been a noticeable rise in injuries as more people engage in high-intensity recreational sports.

Dr. Hadafi pointed out that while many enthusiasts dive into these activities with enthusiasm, they often lack the necessary conditioning, mobility, strength, and recovery strategies. Sports such as pickleball involve explosive movements, quick directional changes, and repetitive stress, which place significant demands on the cardiovascular system.

He emphasized that the body’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and cardiovascular system require time to adjust to increased physical demands. Issues frequently arise when individuals who have been inactive suddenly begin competing multiple times a week without a solid fitness foundation.

Common injuries include ankle sprains, ACL tears, meniscus injuries, Achilles tendinopathy, hamstring strains, rotator cuff irritation, lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, and overuse injuries of the wrist or elbow. Dr. Hadafi noted that sports like pickleball can be particularly challenging as they blend endurance and resistance training.

He warned that poor movement patterns often emerge when athletes are fatigued, attributing many injuries to 'load mismanagement'—a situation where increased exercise volume exceeds the body’s capacity to adapt. Many recreational athletes tend to overlook early warning signs, dismissing mild pain as normal soreness or a test of mental toughness.

Symptoms that are frequently ignored include joint instability, chronic stiffness, swelling, sharp pain, limited mobility, weakness when bearing weight, and sensations of clicking or locking in the joints. Dr. Hadafi stressed that these warning signs should not be overlooked, as delaying treatment can lead to compensatory injuries in other areas of the body.

He also pointed out that using inappropriate footwear and equipment can heighten the risk of injury. 'Progressive overload must be tailored and gradual,' he stated, noting that what is suitable for elite athletes may not be appropriate for beginners or those returning after a long hiatus.

Despite the rise in injuries, Dr. Hadafi believes that many leisure sports injuries can be prevented. He recommends a dynamic warm-up lasting five to 15 minutes before engaging in activities, a gradual increase in training intensity, proper hydration, and suitable footwear.

Recovery is equally crucial and should include cooling down, flexibility exercises, balanced nutrition, hydration, and sufficient sleep. As the global participation in sports like pickleball continues to grow, Dr. Hadafi asserts that education will play a vital role.

'Exercise should improve quality of life, not result in preventable long-term disabilities,' he concluded, advocating for a sporting culture that prioritizes long-term health, injury prevention, and sustainable participation rather than discouraging involvement.