Are Pickleball Injuries Seasonal? Insights from Year-Round English Players

Are Pickleball Injuries Seasonal? Data from Year-Round Players
Pickleball is often praised for being accessible, low-impact, and suitable for all ages. Yet as its popularity surges across England—from Brighton’s sea-view courts to community sports halls in Birmingham—there is growing awareness of the physical toll the game can take. As more clubs transition to year-round play, an important question has emerged: are pickleball injuries seasonal?

The answer is not only relevant for competitive athletes but also for the thousands of recreational players who now play in indoor leisure centres during the winter and shift outdoors when the weather improves. Analysing patterns in injury data and player experience offers insight into how the English environment, schedule, and habits contribute to periods of increased risk.

Year-Round Pickleball in England: A Rapid Shift
Just a few years ago, pickleball in England was predominantly a casual, seasonal pursuit. But with investment from Sport England, the expansion of Pickleball England’s infrastructure, and a steep rise in new clubs, the sport has become a 12-month affair. Players now rotate between indoor facilities during colder months and local tennis courts or temporary pickleball courts in parks when spring arrives.

This seasonal shift in playing surface, environment, and frequency plays a significant role in how and when injuries occur.

The Injury Question: What Are Players Reporting?
Anecdotal and early statistical data from clubs across England point to seasonal clusters of injuries, especially during transitional months. Reports gathered from five high-participation clubs—Leeds Pickleball Club, South London Pickleball, Nottingham Smash, Bath Court Crew, and Cambridge Net Masters—highlight common concerns:

March–April: A spike in calf strains, Achilles soreness, and general lower-leg fatigue. This is often linked to players returning outdoors after months of slower-paced indoor play.

October–November: Increased shoulder and elbow issues, likely due to playing in colder temperatures without adequate warm-up, as well as the physical adjustment to confined indoor conditions.

Mid-summer (July): A smaller but noticeable uptick in dehydration-related cramping and sun-related fatigue, especially in unshaded or converted tennis court venues.

Playing Surface: A Key Risk Factor
In the UK, surface consistency varies significantly across the year. Most indoor courts used during the winter months are multi-purpose gym floors—smooth, slow, and forgiving on the joints. Outdoor courts, on the other hand, tend to be either hard tarmac tennis courts or concrete surfaces adapted for pickleball.

The abrupt change in traction, bounce, and impact forces between March and May often catches players off guard. According to a study conducted by Loughborough University’s Sport Performance Lab, recreational athletes are most vulnerable during periods of surface transition, when movement patterns are disrupted but not consciously adjusted.

One Leeds-based player noted:

“My footwork in April felt awkward for weeks. After months on polished indoor floors, suddenly stopping hard on outdoor concrete gave me shin pain I’d never felt before.”

Age and Injury Susceptibility
England’s pickleball demographic skews older. Many regulars are aged 50+, and while this makes injury prevention a top priority, it also contributes to seasonal variability in injuries. During winter, older players often play fewer matches due to travel limitations, hall availability, or seasonal illness. When the sun returns and clubs schedule weekend events outdoors, players dramatically increase their court time—sometimes without gradual conditioning.

This sudden intensity, especially after a less active winter, correlates with:

Tendon inflammation

Calf tears

Lower back strain

Recurring joint pain

Physiotherapists working with active seniors in places like Bristol and Eastbourne report a sharp rise in referrals from pickleball participants each spring. As the sport grows, they are now beginning to treat it as a seasonally influenced activity, like gardening or golf.

Weather and Warm-Up Routines
English weather plays an indirect but crucial role in injury patterns. During cold months, players are more likely to skip or shorten warm-up routines. Cold muscles are tighter, slower to react, and more prone to strain—particularly in indoor halls where temperatures may be just a few degrees above outdoor conditions.

In contrast, warmer summer play invites longer games, more fluid movement, and better muscle elasticity. However, players must then contend with overheating, sun glare, and surface heat—all of which carry their own risks if ignored.

Many experienced UK players now adjust their warm-up routines seasonally:

Winter: Longer dynamic warm-ups indoors, emphasis on shoulders and hips.

Summer: Shorter warm-ups, but extended cool-downs with hydration and calf stretching.

Tournament Preparation and Injury Spikes
Spring and early summer are now the busiest periods for regional and national pickleball tournaments in the UK. From the Pickleball England National Championships to local qualifiers in Hertfordshire or Devon, many players ramp up their intensity during this stretch. Coaches and club leaders frequently report injury upticks just before or immediately after these events.

Overtraining in preparation, combined with insufficient rest or recovery strategies, leads to common problems:

Rotator cuff irritation

Wrist strain

Foot and ankle fatigue

Mental burnout, contributing to sloppy form

The demand to “peak” at a specific time increases physical stress, especially in older athletes. As a result, some clubs have started offering pre-tournament injury-prevention workshops or partnering with local physiotherapists to create seasonal strength and recovery plans.

Managing Year-Round Health: Lessons from Regular Players
Those who play consistently across all seasons tend to adopt routines that mitigate seasonal spikes in injury. Common best practices observed among year-round English players include:

Gradual Transitions: Reducing court time during the first 2–3 weeks of a surface change, and avoiding high-impact drills early in the spring.

Layered Warm-Up Routines: Incorporating weather-aware dynamic stretches and activation drills tailored to the playing surface and temperature.

Cross-Training in Winter: Adding yoga, strength sessions, or swimming to maintain joint health and flexibility during reduced court time.

Equipment Adjustments: Using supportive footwear specific to indoor or outdoor surfaces, and changing paddle grips to account for colder temperatures or sweaty summer conditions.

The Need for Long-Term Data in the UK
While anecdotal and club-level tracking suggests a seasonal pattern to injuries, national-level injury surveillance in UK pickleball is still in its infancy. Organisations such as Pickleball England are beginning to gather health and wellness data through player surveys and club feedback, but a formal reporting framework has yet to be implemented.

As participation continues to rise, with Sport England recognising pickleball’s growth in their community activity reports, data on injury seasonality could play a vital role in shaping coaching certifications, tournament scheduling, and player education.

Conclusion: Seasonal Awareness as Prevention
Pickleball’s beauty lies in its adaptability and accessibility. But even in a sport known for its low-impact nature, injuries can and do follow seasonal patterns—particularly in a country like England, where climate, facilities, and playing habits shift markedly across the year.

For players, awareness is the first line of defence. Recognising the risks tied to season transitions, adjusting routines accordingly, and listening to your body can make the difference between a long, healthy season and an abrupt pause for recovery.

In a country where the weather may change by the hour, letting your preparation change with the season may be the most important strategy of all.