Pickleball Boom Nets New Healthcare Opportunities

Pickleball's escalating popularity comes with a steep rise in injuries, estimated to cost the US medical system a substantial $377 million in 2023 alone. This surge in injuries, however, is being viewed as an opportunity by some healthcare providers. Rather than just reacting to the problem, they are forging partnerships with pickleball organizations to proactively address injury prevention and care.

For example, Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles has become the sports medicine and orthopedic partner for the California Pickleball Association (CAPA). This partnership allows the institute to meet the needs of the active pickleball community while offering participants access to top-notch medical education and care. The institute plans to provide injury prevention through educational resources, virtual webinars, and on-site support at tournaments.

Health insurance company Humana has established multiple partnerships with pickleball organizations, including the Association of Pickleball Players, DC Pickleball Team, Professional Pickleball Association Tour, and US Senior Pickleball. These agreements involve sponsorship of events, hosting clinics, and supporting championship series events.

Select Medical, a physical therapy provider, is in its third year of partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour. They serve as the exclusive provider of physical therapy and sports medicine for PPA Tour events, offering on-site care for professionals and amateurs alike. Additionally, they provide preventive and recovery services in their physical therapy clinics across the US.

These partnerships extend beyond the realm of sports medicine, with the New Mexico and Arizona Pickleball Association seeking a community grant from the Parkinson's Foundation. Their aim is to secure funds for providing pickleball equipment to instructors who teach the game to individuals with Parkinson's disease. This initiative aligns with the recognized benefits of pickleball for those with Parkinson's, emphasizing the broader positive impact these partnerships can have on health and wellness.