WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — The new year is almost here, which means you might be thinking about New Year's resolutions.
Many people vow to be more active in the new year and the rise of pickleball over the last few years provides an opportunity to do just that.
Though its origins date back to the 1960s, pickleball has become more popular in the last decade. With players of all ages, doctors want to make sure people stay healthy and avoid foot and ankle injuries so they can maintain an active lifestyle well into old age.
"It's a simple game to play after you understand the rules, it can be very very social, or it can be very very competitive,” said Chuck Golliher, president of the Des Moines Metro Pickleball Club. “It appeals to all ages from 8 to over 80."
The club was founded in 2017. And the popularity is clear.
"There's a lot of folks out here for the exercise, they're out here for the camaraderie with their friends, you'll see a lot of groups sitting around chatting," Golliher said.
With increased playing of pickleball, local doctors said they’ve also seen more foot and ankle injuries.
Dr. Ashley Dikis of Des Moines University's Foot and Ankle Clinic said it's imperative for people to warm up prior to playing pickleball by doing things like walking or stretching.
"Those types of things are really important because the more that you can warm up and be ready to go, we think the decreased chance that you will sustain an injury," Dikis said.
She said while doctors have seen more foot and ankle injuries from pickleball in the past few years, the benefits of the sport, especially for older adults, are great.
"People start it, and they absolutely love it so we just want to make sure they can do the things they love and do it pain-free and for as long as possible," Dikis said.
Golliher said the risk of injury and illness isn't exclusive to pickleball.
"What would these people be experiencing if they were not playing pickleball and being active?” Golliher said. “Very likely they could be home in a chair watching something [on TV] and incurring other kinds of health issues."
Above all, Golliher said getting the chance to maintain activity later in life is significant.
"I think it's very important for folks in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, to continue an active lifestyle as long as they can, and a lot of the folks here are here for that reason,” Golliher said. “They want the exercise as well as the social contact."
Dikis said Achilles tendon injuries as well as heel pain and plantar fasciitis are some of the most common ones she sees. In addition to warming up, she added that making sure you are wearing proper footwear greatly decreases the chance of injury.