Tennis: A Demanding Sport for the Entire Body
Tennis, a sport of intensity, coordination, and endurance, engages the entire body, which also makes it a discipline where injuries are common, particularly due to sudden changes in direction and repetitive movements.
In this article, we’ll look at the most common tennis-related injuries and explain why it’s important to include strength training to complement tennis practice.
Shoulder Tendonitis: Common and Preventable
First of all, shoulder tendonitis is very common among tennis players. It is often caused by a buildup of inflammation in the tendons resulting from repeated movements. To avoid this type of injury, we need to increase our ability to handle the physical demands of tennis training.
Therefore, a strength training program that focuses on reinforcing the shoulder joint helps prevent injury because the joint becomes prepared for the workload. So, the most important thing is to mobilize the shoulder joint by incorporating strengthening exercises that work the entire shoulder to prevent these types of injuries.
Epicondylitis: The Famous “Tennis Elbow”
Epicondylitis, or the infamous “tennis elbow,” is also very common in the world of tennis. This injury affects the elbow and results from inflammation of the tendon located on the outer part of the forearm. Like tendinitis, it can be prevented through targeted muscle-strengthening exercises for the elbow joint.
This type of training makes the tendons stronger, more stable, and more resilient, preparing them for the stress that tennis places on them.
Physical Training: More Than Just Prevention
I’ve talked about injuries in this article, but of course, physical training isn’t just for preventing injuries—it also helps improve performance! Sessions focused on coordination, balance, power, and agility are a perfect complement to playing tennis.
In conclusion, what should we take away? Physical training is an essential ally for tennis players: it not only helps prevent injuries but also optimizes performance and allows you to fully enjoy the sport.