Injury risk and epidemiology of pickleball players in South Korea
A cross-sectional study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22090993 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Boseok Jeong (Sungkyunkwan University), Kang-Jun Lee, Kangjun Lee (0000-0002-7542-0531, Sungkyunkwan University), Seung-Hee Nam, Seung Hee Nam (0000-0002-9292-5208, Sungkyunkwan University), Sua Im, Soo-Bin Im (0000-0002-1442-0482, Yonsei University), Rokbit S Lee (Yonsei University), Jinmoo Heo (0000-0001-5781-1160, Yonsei University), Kyung-Min Kim (0000-0003-3382-0841, Sungkyunkwan University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1617291-1617291 |
| Publication date | 2025-08-11 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1617291 |
| PMID | 40860536 |
| OpenAlex | W4413228156 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 44 |
Background Pickleball is rapidly growing in popularity, yet limited research exists regarding injury epidemiology and associated risk factors, particularly in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of injuries among recreational pickleball players. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the 1st HEAD Korea Open Pickleball Championship in 2024, with 232 participants (mean age 50.5 ± 12.2 years) completing a questionnaire on demographics, playing habits, and injuries experienced over the previous 12 months. Results 34.2% reported at least one injury. The most affected regions were the knee (23.3%), elbow or forearm (18.1%), and shoulder or upper arm (17.2%). Overuse injuries (i.e., those with a gradual onset and no single traumatic event) accounted for 78% of reported cases, while 22% were related to acute trauma. The most frequent injury types were muscle or tendon injuries (33.3%) and joint sprains or dislocations (28.3%). Logistic regression analysis identified higher self-rated skill level as significantly associated with a reduced risk of injury (odds ratio [OR] = 0.789, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.624–0.992, p = 0.044), as well as greater weekly play hours (OR = 0.913, 95% CI: 0.861–0.963, p = 0.001). In contrast, age, gender, total playing experience, and frequency of weekly play were not significantly associated with injury risk. Conclusion These findings underscore the need for skill-based and volume-conscious injury prevention strategies, particularly for beginner and recreational players, to support safe participation in this fast-growing sport
Confidence interval · Cross-sectional study · Injury prevention · Logistic regression · Occupational safety and health · Odds ratio · Pathology · Physical therapy · Poison control · Injury Epidemiology and Prevention · Medicine · Musicians’ Health and Performance · Sports injuries and prevention · Emergency Medicine · Epidemiology · Internal Medicine
Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms
How Big is a Big Odds Ratio? Interpreting the Magnitudes of Odds Ratios in Epidemiological Studies
Sport Participation and Happiness Among Older Adults
Injury Epidemiology and Risk Factors in Older Pickleball Players
Pickleball for Inactive Mid-Life and Older Adults in Rural Utah
Incidence of Upper Body Injuries in Amateur Padel Players
An examination of pickleball participation, social connections, and psychological well-being among seniors during the Covid-19 pandemic
Feeling authentic during playing pickleball in later life
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |