August 2004 -- Question: Forty years of playing and teaching tennis have taken their toll on me. I am 65 and am now faced with hip surgery, pain and an inability to continue playing. My years on court have really taken their toll. So this won’t happen to my colleagues and friends in the tennis-teaching industry, what could I have done differently to extend my playing and teaching career?
Answer: First, let me say that all is not lost! You may be suffering right now, but the medical profession is able to do wonders with surgery and pain management. I know many people who have been afflicted with similar problems to yours and, following surgery combined with proper care, they are back playing and enjoying life to its fullest.
I know of one person, in fact, who has had both hips replaced and is playing better than he did before. The simple reason is that he no longer has pain and is not afraid to push off and run down a ball.
But, what about those of you who are younger? What can you do to prevent or at least delay the types of physical trauma described in the question?
We need to understand that if you do anything for prolonged periods of time without any other type of movement or training, you will encounter problems. Runners end up with knee and hip problems, swimmers can have shoulder problems, golfers can develop back trauma, and the list goes on. Even people who sit at desks their entire lives can end up with physical problems in their necks and backs. The key is to plan ahead and train! Let’s talk specifically about what you can do.
First, I am a big believer in strength training. If you are not on a strength training program right now, you need to be on one, regardless of your age. The increased strength will help you accommodate the forces encountered on the court in your leg joints as well as from all the rotation in your trunk. Combining a great strength training program with proper nutrition will increase your longevity in tennis dramatically.
The next thing you should do is to cross train. If you are on the court a lot, don’t spend your exercise time only playing tennis or running. This will just add to the impact you have already encountered. Get on a bicycle or swim. Do something other than an activity that continues the shock to the legs and body.
Next, consider your equipment. A larger grip will be in order and, depending on your needs, a slightly more massive racquet with a larger head. This will help dissipate the forces of impact and lessen the repetitive forces of feeding balls.
Be sure your shoes, socks and orthotics (if necessary) are properly fitted and supportive. The support of your shoes is critical since you spend a lot of time on your feet every day.
Next, evaluate if you need to “mix it up” with your students. Some teachers feel that they actually teach more effectively if they use a ball machine instead of rallying in drills. If this would work for you, it’s obvious that the use of a ball machine to feed will lessen the forces on your body. Then, you can also be on the same side of the court as your students, enabling you to more effectively and efficiently teach skills to them.
In summary, never forget all the physical benefits of being involved in our great sport. We know that playing tennis can help build bones and muscles, while improving coordination, agility, dynamic balance and speed. There is even research that indicates that brain cells grow and personality dynamics improve with regular tennis play.
Your longevity in the game will depend on how well you plan your activities and prepare your body for the long days on court.
Send questions to jgroppel@LGEPerformance.com.
