As a lifelong tennis player, I know quite a bit about the effects of different surfaces on the body.
Most tennis in this country is played on an asphalt hard surface and almost all Pickleball is as well. These surfaces are very hard on the body because of the hardness of the surface, and more importantly, that they do not allow the foot to slide.
When the foot can’t slide it, transfers the torque of your body’s motion up your leg to your knees and hips. These are the joints that most often have to be replaced after many years of wear on a hard surface.
In addition, planter fasciitis, a very painful inflammation of the sole of the foot is also quite common because of the constant striking of your foot on the hard surface.
For these reasons I gave up hard-court tennis at age 57 and now play exclusively on clay-like surfaces like Har-Tru, or grass.
These soft surfaces are also much more forgiving should you ever fall, which is always a hazard with the older players who tend to gravitate towards Pickleball. For all these reasons, you will never see me on a Pickleball court, unless they develop a more forgiving surface to play on.
My husband lost an eye while playing basketball. It just makes sense to wear protective goggles when playing sports where there is physical contact with either a person or an object.
Pickle ball used to be more friendly. Now there are people who like to BLAST the ball at the opponent directly, instead of blasting the ball into the kitchen, between the 2 opposite opponents or on to the hard surface. This takes practice and a lot of people just don't learn appropriately. Sometimes it's just too aggressive with any level of play. There are more and more people who need to learn the rules and have fun, but seem to "play" by taking their aggression out on the opposition. I've seen it many times. Laughter at someone who is hurt is common - especially from old men who start to play and like to be "macho". It's ridiculous. I've seen some aim specifically at an opponent. I don't play anymore. I played for 10 years, loved it and then it wasn't fun anymore - with too many playing without really learning the rules - dinking, kitchen, etc. I do love to watch the real players who are tournament players. They blast the ball at the court and it's fast. Amazing.
As a lifelong tennis player, I know quite a bit about the effects of different surfaces on the body.
Most tennis in this country is played on an asphalt hard surface and almost all Pickleball is as well. These surfaces are very hard on the body because of the hardness of the surface, and more importantly, that they do not allow the foot to slide.
When the foot can’t slide it, transfers the torque of your body’s motion up your leg to your knees and hips. These are the joints that most often have to be replaced after many years of wear on a hard surface.
In addition, planter fasciitis, a very painful inflammation of the sole of the foot is also quite common because of the constant striking of your foot on the hard surface.
For these reasons I gave up hard-court tennis at age 57 and now play exclusively on clay-like surfaces like Har-Tru, or grass.
These soft surfaces are also much more forgiving should you ever fall, which is always a hazard with the older players who tend to gravitate towards Pickleball. For all these reasons, you will never see me on a Pickleball court, unless they develop a more forgiving surface to play on.
My thoughts exactly....can hardly wait for channel 7 news on horrible new knee injury.
My husband lost an eye while playing basketball. It just makes sense to wear protective goggles when playing sports where there is physical contact with either a person or an object.
Pickle ball used to be more friendly. Now there are people who like to BLAST the ball at the opponent directly, instead of blasting the ball into the kitchen, between the 2 opposite opponents or on to the hard surface. This takes practice and a lot of people just don't learn appropriately. Sometimes it's just too aggressive with any level of play. There are more and more people who need to learn the rules and have fun, but seem to "play" by taking their aggression out on the opposition. I've seen it many times. Laughter at someone who is hurt is common - especially from old men who start to play and like to be "macho". It's ridiculous. I've seen some aim specifically at an opponent. I don't play anymore. I played for 10 years, loved it and then it wasn't fun anymore - with too many playing without really learning the rules - dinking, kitchen, etc. I do love to watch the real players who are tournament players. They blast the ball at the court and it's fast. Amazing.