Although the British weather has been doing its best to dampen the excitement of Wimbledon this year, we are poised for a dramatic few days as we enter the finals.
The annual tennis tournament continues to be one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. Last year (2023), the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon broke digital records – with 54.3 million streams on iPlayer and BBC Sport online, up from 53.8 million in 2022. There’s no reason to suspect this year will be any different.
Tennis on the up
Each year, the tournament sparks a renewed interest in tennis. Last year the Lawn Tennis Association shared participation figures for 2022 which showed a big surge in the number of adults playing tennis during that year (up by 43% on the previous year – from 3.3 million to 4.7 million). It reported that more than two million adults play monthly, which is the highest level recorded since the LTA started tracking the measure in 2016. Children’s tennis has also seen a rise – with around 3.5 million playing tennis, including an extra 328,000 playing in schools.
Be aware of the risks
Any increase in the number of people participating in regular sports is welcome as the benefits for physical and mental health are extensive and well-documented. However, whether you’re a novice or an experienced tennis player, it’s advisable to be aware of the potential for injury and to understand what you can do to reduce your risk. In this article we will be looking, in particular, at leg injuries which are all too common among tennis players.
Tennis-related leg injuries
Injuries can be caused by overusing the muscles, tendons or bones or by some kind of traumatic event, such as a fall or collision. Around two-thirds of the tennis-related injuries we treat are overuse injuries.
Tennis Leg:
One of the most common is a tear or rupture of the calf muscles in the lower leg. In fact, this injury is so frequently seen in tennis players that it is often referred to as “Tennis Leg”. The calf muscles comprise a large muscle (the superficial gastrocnemius) and a smaller muscle (soleus) that runs beneath it. There is also a thin muscle that runs from the heel to the back of the knee (the plantaris muscle). If you tear your calf muscle you may hear a popping sound and experience an intense, burning pain in the back of your calf. It may be painful to walk and you may notice swelling or bruising in the lower leg.
The medial (inner) head of the gastrocnemius muscle can tear as the result of overstretching or sudden contraction of the calf muscles due to a sudden change of direction or rapid sprint. You may be particularly at risk as you age because muscles naturally start to weaken and tendons lose their elasticity. This injury occurs most frequently in people aged 35 to 50. Also, a sudden burst of activity – such as taking up tennis after a long period of inactivity or suddenly increasing the frequency of play – can make you prone to injury. This is why we tend to see more Tennis Leg injuries in the days and weeks after Wimbledon. Other, less serious muscle strains are also common among infrequent tennis players.
To prevent Tennis Leg and muscle strain it is important to warm up and cool down thoroughly – at least 10 minutes before and after play. Build up your training gradually to allow your body time to adapt to the increased load and make sure you wear good quality tennis shoes that provide the right shock absorption, grip and sideways stability. Be extra careful if your muscles and tendons feel cold as they may be less able to withstand traction and pulling forces. In cooler weather, wearing a tracksuit can protect the muscles and tendons. A physiotherapist can recommend exercises to build strength and flexibility in the calves.
Achilles Tendon Injuries:
The Achilles tendon may start to degenerate due to repeated stress from running and jumping. An Achilles tendon injury causes pain in the heel which is exacerbated by exercising. It is important to seek medical help as a damaged Achilles tendon may rupture if left untreated.
Stress Fractures:
Unlike fractures that are caused by a heavy fall or other kind of accident, stress fractures are due to overexercising without allowing the bones sufficient time to recover. Bones are living tissue and can develop micro-cracks when you push your body too hard. Without rest days, these micro-cracks can become stress fractures which are hairline cracks in the bone. A stress fracture is painful and debilitating. Following the advice given above (for preventing Tennis Leg) can also reduce your risk of stress fractures. Building in rest days and varying your exercise regime, with some low impact and some high impact activity, can help to avoid overloading your body.
What to do if you injure yourself
If you injure yourself playing tennis, use your judgement. For a minor injury, remember RICE – rest, ice, compression and elevation – is an effective at-home treatment to relieve your symptoms. However, for a more serious or debilitating injury, always seek medical advice as continuing to play when you are injured can lead to a worsening of symptoms or possible long-term damage.
For advice on diagnosis and treatment of any kind of sports-related injury, including tennis injuries, contact us.
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