Junior tennis players commonly experience a range of injuries - often due to the repetitive and intense nature of the sport.
According the American Academy of Pediatrics - the most common injuries among junior tennis players include:
Shoulder Injuries:
Rotator cuff tendinitis and shoulder impingement are frequent due to the repetitive overhead motions of serving and hitting.
Elbow Injuries:
“Tennis elbow" (lateral epicondylitis) and "Little League elbow" (medial epicondyle apophysitis) are prevalent because of the repetitive stress placed on the elbow joint.
Wrist and Hand Injuries:
Tendinitis and sprains often occur from the repetitive motions and gripping of the racket.
Knee Injuries:
Patellar tendinitis ("jumper's knee") and Osgood-Schlatter disease (painful inflammation below the knee) can result from the sudden starts, stops, and jumps in tennis.
Ankle Injuries:
Sprains are common due to the frequent lateral movements and sudden changes in direction.
Back Injuries:
Lower back pain, often from muscle strain or spondylolysis, is common due to the twisting and bending motions in tennis.
Leg Injuries:
Hamstring and calf strains or tears can occur from the explosive movements required in tennis.
These injuries typically arise from overuse, poor technique, inadequate conditioning, or insufficient warm-up and stretching routines. Preventive measures, including proper training, technique improvement, strength conditioning, and flexibility exercises, are essential to reduce the risk of these common injuries in junior tennis players
Download “Dr. Jason Moon - Shoulder Injury Prevention In Elite Adolescent Tennis Players”