It’s tennis season

It’s tennis season in Melbourne, and personally, one of my favourite times of the year. Good weather, summer vibes and lots of tennis on and off the court - especially around Melbourne Park.

Tennis is often considered a “lifetime sport”, alongside cycling, jogging, golf and others. This means we can practise it at many stages of our lives, at different intensities, and adapt it as our bodies change.

Regular tennis participation has been shown to improve aerobic capacity, reduce body fat and decrease the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Beyond the physical benefits, tennis also supports mental focus, cognitive function and decision-making, while fostering social connections - all crucial elements of overall wellbeing.

However, like any repetitive and high demand sport, tennis can come with injuries and pains. Understanding how the body moves with tennis and how and why injuries occur are key to being able to keep playing for life.

The tennis kinetic chain starts at the feet and knees, continues through the trunk, core, shoulder and elbow and ends at the wrist and hand and, therefore, the racquet. When this chain is disrupted by improper technique or fatigue, it can lead to injuries.

According to studies, acute injuries in tennis tend to occur in the lower extremities, while chronic overuse injuries more often affect the upper extremities and trunk. The first are led by ankle sprains, knee strain or muscle tears, while the upper injuries are commonly tennis elbow, wrist pain, rotator cuff injuries and lower back discomfort. 

Injury prevention is essential at any level of practice. Warm ups, strengthening and conditioning and stretching are crucial. In addition, adequate technique and equipment along with surface adaptation can also have an influence. A healthy lifestyle will also promote a healthier musculoskeletal health. 

Listening early to signs, supporting recovery and addressing imbalances can make the difference in playing a long term game. 

At Body Trails in Kew, we support sport enthusiasts of all levels in their recovery, movement and wellbeing.