Racquetball is sport played by two or four players on an indoor court, with players using racquets to hit a small ball against the walls. Although racquetball play is similar to squash, the sport differs in its rules, equipment, gameplay, and court dimensions. Racquetball is played both recreationally and competitively and is governed locally by Racquetball BC. Quick shifts in direction can place players at risk of ankle and knee injuries.
(see Section 04 - Prevention)
Facial injuries are a common injury in racquetball, and can occur from contact with the ball or racquet. Cuts and bruises to the face are the most frequent type of injury, followed by injuries to the eye, including corneal abrasion and a pooling of blood inside the anterior chamber of the eye (hyphema).
Ankle sprains or fractures are common injuries in racquetball.
Although less common than eye and ankle injuries, elbow injuries such as bursitis, sprains, and tendonitis can occur from playing racquetball.
Foot or toe sprains and fractures are other injuries that can be sustained in racquetball.
Current statistics are not available for racquetball injuries.
Skill level may be associated with risk of injury in racquetball. Facial injuries are more prevalent among beginner players as compared to more skilled players.
Training and regular practice are expected of athletes, but how much is too much? Your risk of injury can increase if you train too much or improperly. Learn more about how to find your training load “sweet spot.”
Some muscle soreness or joint pain is expected when increasing your level of physical activity. It is important to listen to your body for persistent or worsening pain, and to know when to rest. Learn more about how to prevent injuries in racquetball.
Talk to your coach or organization, if applicable, about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
The risk of injury can be reduced by the use of properly fitted personal protective devices, such as eyewear. Check equipment regularly for cracks or other signs of damage.
The risk of all lower body injuries may be reduced by up to 50% by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports. Incorporating a warm-up program like this one into your training program at least two times per week has been associated with a significant reduction in lower body injuries.
Click here to view poster.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Adopt strength training exercises designed to prevent injuries. The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed exercises that specifically help keep the ankle strong and reduce the risk of injury. This resource includes videos and PDFs for download.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent ankle injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Safesport – Squash and Racquetball Safety
Safesport (UK) has some information on racquetball safety.
Sleep, Vigilance and Sport Injury Prevention
Being successful in physical activity requires a high degree of alertness, also known as vigilance. Sufficient sleep helps your body to recover, allows you to achieve your goals, and reduces your risk of injury. Getting less than 8 hours of sleep can increase your rate of injury by up to 70%! Watch this video to learn more about how sleep and vigilance are connected.
Sport-related Physicals
Racquetball is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to play can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
Talk to your organization or school, if applicable, about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
The risk of injury can be reduced by the use of properly fitted personal protective devices, such as eyewear. Encourage players to check their equipment regularly for cracks or other signs of damage.
The risk of all lower body injuries may be reduced by up to 50% by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports. Incorporating a warm-up program like this one into your training program at least two times per week has been associated with a significant reduction in lower body injuries.
Click here to view poster.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Adopt strength training exercises designed to prevent injuries. The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed exercises that specifically help keep the ankle strong and reduce the risk of injury. This resource includes videos and PDFs for download.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent ankle injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Facilities
The Ontario Physical Education Association (OPHEA) provides recommendations for safely implementing racquetball in secondary schools.
Learn more about implementing racquetball in your school.
Safesport – Squash and Racquetball Safety
Safesport (UK) has some information on racquetball safety.
Sport-related Physicals
Racquetball is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to play can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
Talk to your coaches, teachers, organization, or school, if applicable, about the prevention strategies below and how they might be incorporated into training and policies.
The risk of injury can be reduced by the use of properly fitted personal protective devices, such as eyewear. Encourage players to check their equipment regularly for cracks or other signs of damage.
The risk of all lower body injuries may be reduced by up to 50% by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports. Incorporating a warm-up program like this one into your training program at least two times per week has been associated with a significant reduction in lower body injuries.
Click here to view poster.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
Adopt strength training exercises designed to prevent injuries. The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed exercises that specifically help keep the ankle strong and reduce the risk of injury. This resource includes videos and PDFs for download.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent ankle injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Facilities
The Ontario Physical Education Association (OPHEA) provides recommendations for safely implementing racquetball in secondary schools.
Learn more about implementing racquetball in your school.
Safesport – Squash and Racquetball Safety
Safesport (UK) has some information on racquetball safety.
Sport-related Physicals
Racquetball is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to play can help to reduce risk of injury. KidsHealth provides information about what sports physicals are, why they may be appropriate and where you may go to get them.
Learn more about Kids Health Sports Physicals.
The role of health professionals in preventing racquetball injuries has two main components:
The risk of injury can be reduced by the use of properly fitted personal protective devices, such as eyewear. Encourage players to check their equipment regularly for cracks or other signs of damage.
The risk of all lower body injuries may be reduced by up to 50% by regular participation in a balance training exercise program with a resistance training component, such as a neuromuscular training warm-up program.
Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre has developed a neuromuscular training warm-up program that can be adapted to many sports. Incorporating a warm-up program like this one into your training program at least two times per week has been associated with a significant reduction in lower body injuries.
Click here to view poster.
Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Neuromuscular Training
The Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre has developed exercises that specifically help keep the ankle strong and reduce the risk of injury. This resource includes videos and PDFs for download.
Learn more about exercises to help prevent ankle injuries.
For more exercises, visit http://fittoplay.org/.
Sport-related Physicals
Racquetball is a physically demanding sport and some pre-existing conditions may increase the risk of injury. An annual sport-related physical evaluation ensuring fitness to play can help to reduce risk of injury. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides information about preparticipation physical evaluation.
Learn more about Preparticipation Physical Evaluation.
Safesport – Squash and Racquetball Safety
Safesport (UK) has some information on racquetball safety.
