New Study: 30% of Pickleball Players Admit They Play Through Pain
Conducted by researchers from Saint Louis University, it analyzed 1,758 pickleball players ages 18-102 across the U.S. to better understand injury patterns beyond just emergency room data.
The largest study of its kind surveyed nearly 1,800 pickleball players across the United States and found that two out of every three reported an injury or discomfort related to the sport in the past year.
Even more striking? One in three admitted they keep playing through the pain.
That’s the paradox of pickleball right now. The sport is exploding, people are obsessed, and yet the physical toll is real. The data doesn’t just highlight injuries, it shows a pattern of stubbornness and passion that keeps people on the court even when their bodies are telling them they need a break.
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1 in 3 Players Continue Playing Despite Pain
According to the study, led by author Oluwatoyosi Owoeye and his colleagues, 35.9% of players said they played despite ongoing pain or discomfort. Not just a sore shoulder for a day... ongoing issues. And while pain doesn’t always mean “injury” in the clinical sense, ignoring it can make things worse.
The researchers found that two in five players ended up with time-loss injuries, the kind that actually forced them to stop playing for at least a day, sometimes weeks.
Oluwatoyosi B.A. Owoeye
It’s a classic sports story. You tweak something, you shrug it off, you keep going. But in pickleball, where people are often playing multiple times per week, that little nagging ache can easily snowball into something bigger.
68.5% of Players Reported an Injury or Discomfort
The numbers are eye-opening: nearly seven in ten players had some kind of issue in the past year.
- 40.8% had time-loss injuries (the stop-you-in-your-tracks kind)
- 51.2% had non-time-loss injuries (aches, strains, soreness)
It tracked both acute injuries and those “background pains” we don’t always report but definitely feel. The fact that even discomfort is so widespread should be a wake-up call.
Knees (29%) and Shoulders (22%) Are the Top Pain Points
The knee was the number one problem area (29%), followed closely by the lower leg/foot (27%) and shoulder (22%). After that, the back (20%) and elbow (18%) rounded out the top five.
Why those areas? Think about the movements: constant lunging, pivoting, quick directional changes, and explosive swings. Your knees take a pounding from sudden stops and starts. Your shoulders and elbows carry the strain of repetitive overhead shots and dinks. It’s not just one match, it’s hundreds of micro-movements that add up over weeks and months.
Alex E. Weaver
And here’s the kicker: Overuse injuries (35%) were more common than sprains or strains. Pickleball isn’t necessarily knocking players out with dramatic accidents. It’s wearing them down through repetition.
How Play Habits Affect the Odds of Injury
Injuries don’t just happen by chance. The study shows that how often you play, how long you’ve been playing, and even your experience level all shift the odds.
Middle-Aged Players (33–62) Had the Highest Injury Rates
This is where the study gets interesting. The players most likely to get hurt weren’t the youngest or the oldest. Instead, middle-aged players (33–62 years) had the highest rates of injury: around 77%. They’re active enough to play often and push themselves, but not always conditioned for the volume.
Men were also at higher risk, with a 33% greater chance of injury compared to women.
Playing 3+ Times Per Week Increased Injury Odds by 45%
Frequency mattered: players who logged three or more sessions per week were 45% more likely to get injured.
But here’s the surprise:
Less Experience (Under 5 Years) Meant 50% Higher Injury Risk
Experience also played a huge role. Players with less than five years of experience were 50% more likely to report injuries. But for veterans, the risk actually dropped. It’s like their bodies adapted; they're not immune, but better prepared to handle the stress.
1,758 Players Surveyed, Ages 18–102
There have been reports of pickleball injuries before, but most were based on ER data.
That misses a huge chunk of the picture, because a lot of players don’t go to the ER for sore knees or nagging shoulder pain. This survey, 1,758 players, ages 18 all the way up to 102, offers the clearest snapshot yet of what’s really happening across the sport.
It’s a reality check: Pickleball is fun, social, and booming, but it’s not risk-free.
This baseline data will help shape smarter training, recovery, and injury-prevention strategies tailored to the sport.
Jason Flamm
Key Statistics From The Research
Pickleball injuries are shockingly common
- Nearly 7 in 10 players (68.5%) reported an injury or physical issue in the past year.
- That’s not just ER visits, this is the broadest snapshot of aches, strains, and serious injuries across the sport.
Players push through pain even when they shouldn’t
- 1 in 3 players (36%) admitted they keep playing despite ongoing pain or discomfort.
- It’s not a one-off sore shoulder—these are persistent issues people ignore to stay on the court.
Time-loss injuries hit hard
- 2 in 5 players (41%) had injuries serious enough to sideline them for at least a day, sometimes weeks.
- That’s a massive chunk of players missing out on games because of preventable issues.
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Who gets hurt the most? Middle-aged, frequent players
- Injury risk was highest in ages 33–62 (77% reported injuries).
- Playing 3+ times per week raised the odds of injury by 45%.
- Newer players (<5 years experience) were 50% more likely to get hurt than veterans.
Knees and shoulders are the weak spots
- The knee (29%) was the #1 problem area, followed by lower leg/foot (27%) and shoulder (22%).
- Overuse/chronic injuries (35%) were more common than sprains or strains. Pickleball isn’t just dramatic accidents; it’s repetitive wear and tear.
The Takeaway: Playing Through Pain Isn’t Sustainable
Pickleball’s growth is incredible—millions of players, new courts popping up everywhere, and a community that’s thriving. But the sport comes with its own physical price tag.
The biggest lesson? Playing through pain may keep you on court today, but it could sideline you tomorrow.
If you love the game, protecting your body has to be part of the deal. Otherwise, you’re not just risking a sore shoulder—you’re risking the chance to keep playing at all.
