Location
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Start Date
4-5-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2024 11:30 AM
Poster Number
114
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Matthew Chung
Faculty Sponsor's Department
Sports Medicine
Competition Type
Competitive
Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Category
Health
Abstract or Artist's Statement
Introduction: Pickleball participation has increased significantly in the United States (U.S.) over the past several years. Previous studies have addressed injuries associated with the sport, primarily focusing on the older patient demographic. Despite previous reports, limited data is available, particularly considering the sport’s significant growth seen in recent years. This study aims to investigate the incidence and etiology of injuries among pickleball players to understand patterns of patient presentation and inform interventions. Methods: Using the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Database (NEISS), this retrospective study identified national estimates (NE) for pickleball-related injuries presenting to U.S. emergency departments (ED). The NEISS database was queried for pickleball-related injuries sustained between 2013-2022. Demographic data including patient disposition, race, sex, age, and injury location were collected. Descriptive statistics were conducted for all variables, and chi-squared testing was used to compare categorical variables. Incidence rates were calculated using NEISS sample weights. Google Trends data were analyzed to examine the correlation between pickleball-related injuries and internet search trends. Results: The NEISS 2013-2022 sample data included 1,238 pickleball-related injuries (NE: 77,963), mostly commonly presenting as sprains (27%, NE: 16,269) and fractures (27%, NE: 16,117). Since 2020, EDs have seen an 88% increase in pickleball-related injuries. The sample demographic characteristics included a mean age of 64, with slightly more than half of patients being male (51% compared to 49%). Adults aged 50 years or older accounted for 91% of reported injuries. In terms of patient disposition, 83% (NE: 64,260) of patients were treated and released, while the remainder were admitted for further assessment. Additionally, there was a corresponding trend between the number of pickleball searches on Google and the number of injuries during the years assessed. Conclusion: Results of this study provide important insights into the increasing occurrence of pickleball-related injuries presenting to U.S. EDs in recent years. Pickleball's popularity has surged, accompanied by a developing injury landscape, as evidenced by data collected from the NEISS database and insights from Google Trends. As popularity grows, there is an increasing need to address ED preparedness and guide healthcare professionals in effectively managing pickleball-related injuries.
Pickleball's Ascent: An Analysis of a Decade of Injuries in a Growing Sport
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Introduction: Pickleball participation has increased significantly in the United States (U.S.) over the past several years. Previous studies have addressed injuries associated with the sport, primarily focusing on the older patient demographic. Despite previous reports, limited data is available, particularly considering the sport’s significant growth seen in recent years. This study aims to investigate the incidence and etiology of injuries among pickleball players to understand patterns of patient presentation and inform interventions. Methods: Using the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Database (NEISS), this retrospective study identified national estimates (NE) for pickleball-related injuries presenting to U.S. emergency departments (ED). The NEISS database was queried for pickleball-related injuries sustained between 2013-2022. Demographic data including patient disposition, race, sex, age, and injury location were collected. Descriptive statistics were conducted for all variables, and chi-squared testing was used to compare categorical variables. Incidence rates were calculated using NEISS sample weights. Google Trends data were analyzed to examine the correlation between pickleball-related injuries and internet search trends. Results: The NEISS 2013-2022 sample data included 1,238 pickleball-related injuries (NE: 77,963), mostly commonly presenting as sprains (27%, NE: 16,269) and fractures (27%, NE: 16,117). Since 2020, EDs have seen an 88% increase in pickleball-related injuries. The sample demographic characteristics included a mean age of 64, with slightly more than half of patients being male (51% compared to 49%). Adults aged 50 years or older accounted for 91% of reported injuries. In terms of patient disposition, 83% (NE: 64,260) of patients were treated and released, while the remainder were admitted for further assessment. Additionally, there was a corresponding trend between the number of pickleball searches on Google and the number of injuries during the years assessed. Conclusion: Results of this study provide important insights into the increasing occurrence of pickleball-related injuries presenting to U.S. EDs in recent years. Pickleball's popularity has surged, accompanied by a developing injury landscape, as evidenced by data collected from the NEISS database and insights from Google Trends. As popularity grows, there is an increasing need to address ED preparedness and guide healthcare professionals in effectively managing pickleball-related injuries.