Pickleball and its winning health streak
27 Feb 2026
By Ronald Allan M. Ponteres, MD, MBAH
Pickleball is rapidly emerging as one of the most popular racket sports worldwide and is now gaining a strong foothold in the Philippines. Courts that once hosted badminton or basketball games are now coated with the distinct pop of pickleballs, attracting players from teenagers to retirees. Research continues to grow alongside this popularity, indicating that the sport offers significant physical, mental, and social benefits. At the same time, medical experts emphasize the need to understand and manage injury risks, especially as participation accelerates.
At a local sports center in Makati, primary care physician and racket‑sports enthusiast Dr Erwin Corpuz watches a doubles rally unfold. As someone who plays recreationally, he has had a front‑row seat to pickleball’s rapid rise.
“It’s no coincidence that pickleball has taken over some vacant badminton courts and parking lots in the country,” he says. “Racket sports, whether it’s the high‑intensity sprint of badminton or the social dinks of pickleball, offer a ‘goldilocks’ zone for health: they are physically demanding enough to see results, but engaging enough that you actually keep playing.”
His observation aligns with emerging literature. A 2024 review found that pickleball participation leads to improvements in overall fitness, mobility, and emotional well‑being for adults, emphasizing that its strong social component fosters deeper engagement and connection, factors known to support long‑term health (Stroesser, Mulcaster, & Andrews, 2024). These social benefits matter just as much in the Philippine setting, where community‑based activities help strengthen relationships in urban areas.
Dr Corpuz notes that the sport offers the same kind of intermittent cardiovascular incentive seen in other racket sports. “Pickleball mimics high‑intensity interval training without feeling like a workout,” he explains. His point echoes findings from Harvard Health, which reported that adults over 60 who played pickleball regularly for six weeks experienced measurable reductions in blood pressure and LDL cholesterol (Corliss, 2025). Such improvements highlight how accessible, enjoyable, and low‑impact activities can support cardiovascular health, particularly for older Filipinos who may struggle with more intense forms of exercise.
Long‑term benefits are being recognized as well. A major cohort study on racket sports showed that these activities were associated with a 47% reduction in all‑cause mortality and a 56% decrease in cardiovascular mortality, placing them among the most protective physical activities for longevity (Oja et al., 2017). Although pickleball was not part of the original analysis, its similar mix of agility, coordination, and short but intense aerobic activity suggests comparable benefits when played consistently.
On the mental health front, recent evidence continues to build momentum. A 2025 systematic review found that padel and pickleball improve life satisfaction, social connection, and overall happiness among older adults, while also reducing depressive symptoms (Lauxtermann & Stubbs, 2025). Dr Corpuz calls this the “social vitamin” effect. “Pickleball’s secret weapon is community,” he says. “The learning curve is short, so people of different ages and fitness levels can play together. The laughter, the teamwork, it releases endorphins and supports mental well‑being.”
But alongside these benefits is a growing awareness of injury risk, particularly among older adults who join the sport enthusiastically without adequate preparation. Harvard Health reports a rising incidence of strains, sprains, fractures, and joint pain among adults over 50, often due to sudden directional changes and fast rallies (Corliss, 2025). Research also highlights the lack of detailed data on injury patterns, urging caution for beginners who may be more vulnerable to overexertion, poor mechanics, or inadequate conditioning (Stroesser et al., 2024).
Dr Corpuz sees this firsthand. “Primary care physicians are the net players of long‑term health,” he says. “As pickleball skyrockets in popularity, bringing with it pickleball elbow, Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff strains, the PCP’s role has shifted from simple health screenings to active sports‑medicine initial care.”
He describes how prevention begins even before a paddle is picked up. “Risk stratification is key,” he explains. PCPs can evaluate heart health, mobility restrictions, and musculoskeletal readiness. “If someone has limited ankle mobility, their knees and back will compensate when they lunge. That’s how injuries snowball.”
He also highlights the importance of load management. Many beginners, caught up in the thrill of the game, play too often too soon. “The most common injuries in racket sports are overuse injuries,” he says. “The 10% rule, limiting weekly increases in playing time to no more than 10%, allows tendons to adjust gradually.”
Early detection is another advantage of primary care follow‑ups. “A patient might mention a small ache during a visit. If we catch tendonitis early, it’s a week of rest. If it becomes tendonosis, it can mean months of rehab.”
Finally, PCPs coordinate the broader care team: physical therapists, sports medicine specialists, or orthopedic surgeons, when needed. “We don’t just fix the pain,” he says. “We fix the cause.”
As more Filipinos embrace the sport, Dr Corpuz emphasizes the need for baseline screening. The PAR‑Q+ questionnaire, he says, helps identify possible red flags such as chest pain, dizziness, medications affecting cardiovascular responses, or bone and joint issues. Strength and balance assessments are equally important: grip strength predicts vulnerability to pickleball elbow; a single‑leg stance test assesses ankle stability; and shoulder mobility tests help detect risks for impingement during overhead shots. Pickleball’s unique pattern of long pauses punctuated by sudden explosive movements also requires cardiovascular preparedness. For older adults or those with existing conditions, Dr Corpuz recommends ensuring resting blood pressure stays below 140/90 mmHg and screening for conditions like peripheral artery disease if calf cramping occurs.
For individuals managing chronic diseases (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, or obesity), he stresses a structured, tailored approach rather than casual participation. Warm‑ups are essential for those with hypertension to prevent sudden spikes in heart rate. Diabetic players must time games around meals and carry fast‑acting carbohydrates. Players with obesity should prioritize cushioned courts, slow the pace through “dink”-focused play, and pay careful attention to joint alignment.
He suggests a balanced weekly routine: pickleball on alternating days for aerobic and social benefits; strength training on off‑days for joint protection; and low‑impact activities on weekends for recovery.
Despite these cautions, Dr Corpuz remains enthusiastic. He celebrates pickleball’s accessibility, low cost, and community appeal—all factors fueling its rise across the Philippines. Barangay courts and sports centers now frequently repurpose badminton courts to meet growing demand. Corporate wellness programs and community fitness initiatives are adopting the sport not just for exercise but for team bonding and stress relief.
As he watches another match begin, Dr Corpuz smiles. “Pickleball is joy,” he says. “But joy is safest when the body is ready for it.”
References:
Corliss, J. (2025). Practical pointers for pickleballers. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/practical-pointers-for-pickleballers
Lauxtermann, L., & Stubbs, B. (2025). Padel, pickleball and wellbeing: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1614448.
Stroesser, K., Mulcaster, A., & Andrews, D. M. (2024). Pickleball participation and the health and well-being of adults: A scoping review. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 21(9), 847–860.
Oja, P., Kelly, P., Pedisic, Z., Titze, S., Bauman, A., Foster, C., Hamer, M., Hillsdon, M., & Stamatakis, E. (2017). Associations of specific types of sports and exercise with all-cause and cardiovascular-disease mortality: A cohort study of 80,306 British adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(10), 812–817.
Pickleball is rapidly emerging as one of the most popular racket sports worldwide and is now gaining a strong foothold in the Philippines. Courts that once hosted badminton or basketball games are now coated with the distinct pop of pickleballs, attracting players from teenagers to retirees. Research continues to grow alongside this popularity, indicating that the sport offers significant physical, mental, and social benefits. At the same time, medical experts emphasize the need to understand and manage injury risks, especially as participation accelerates.
At a local sports center in Makati, primary care physician and racket‑sports enthusiast Dr Erwin Corpuz watches a doubles rally unfold. As someone who plays recreationally, he has had a front‑row seat to pickleball’s rapid rise.
“It’s no coincidence that pickleball has taken over some vacant badminton courts and parking lots in the country,” he says. “Racket sports, whether it’s the high‑intensity sprint of badminton or the social dinks of pickleball, offer a ‘goldilocks’ zone for health: they are physically demanding enough to see results, but engaging enough that you actually keep playing.”
His observation aligns with emerging literature. A 2024 review found that pickleball participation leads to improvements in overall fitness, mobility, and emotional well‑being for adults, emphasizing that its strong social component fosters deeper engagement and connection, factors known to support long‑term health (Stroesser, Mulcaster, & Andrews, 2024). These social benefits matter just as much in the Philippine setting, where community‑based activities help strengthen relationships in urban areas.
Dr Corpuz notes that the sport offers the same kind of intermittent cardiovascular incentive seen in other racket sports. “Pickleball mimics high‑intensity interval training without feeling like a workout,” he explains. His point echoes findings from Harvard Health, which reported that adults over 60 who played pickleball regularly for six weeks experienced measurable reductions in blood pressure and LDL cholesterol (Corliss, 2025). Such improvements highlight how accessible, enjoyable, and low‑impact activities can support cardiovascular health, particularly for older Filipinos who may struggle with more intense forms of exercise.
Long‑term benefits are being recognized as well. A major cohort study on racket sports showed that these activities were associated with a 47% reduction in all‑cause mortality and a 56% decrease in cardiovascular mortality, placing them among the most protective physical activities for longevity (Oja et al., 2017). Although pickleball was not part of the original analysis, its similar mix of agility, coordination, and short but intense aerobic activity suggests comparable benefits when played consistently.
On the mental health front, recent evidence continues to build momentum. A 2025 systematic review found that padel and pickleball improve life satisfaction, social connection, and overall happiness among older adults, while also reducing depressive symptoms (Lauxtermann & Stubbs, 2025). Dr Corpuz calls this the “social vitamin” effect. “Pickleball’s secret weapon is community,” he says. “The learning curve is short, so people of different ages and fitness levels can play together. The laughter, the teamwork, it releases endorphins and supports mental well‑being.”
But alongside these benefits is a growing awareness of injury risk, particularly among older adults who join the sport enthusiastically without adequate preparation. Harvard Health reports a rising incidence of strains, sprains, fractures, and joint pain among adults over 50, often due to sudden directional changes and fast rallies (Corliss, 2025). Research also highlights the lack of detailed data on injury patterns, urging caution for beginners who may be more vulnerable to overexertion, poor mechanics, or inadequate conditioning (Stroesser et al., 2024).
Dr Corpuz sees this firsthand. “Primary care physicians are the net players of long‑term health,” he says. “As pickleball skyrockets in popularity, bringing with it pickleball elbow, Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff strains, the PCP’s role has shifted from simple health screenings to active sports‑medicine initial care.”
He describes how prevention begins even before a paddle is picked up. “Risk stratification is key,” he explains. PCPs can evaluate heart health, mobility restrictions, and musculoskeletal readiness. “If someone has limited ankle mobility, their knees and back will compensate when they lunge. That’s how injuries snowball.”
He also highlights the importance of load management. Many beginners, caught up in the thrill of the game, play too often too soon. “The most common injuries in racket sports are overuse injuries,” he says. “The 10% rule, limiting weekly increases in playing time to no more than 10%, allows tendons to adjust gradually.”
Early detection is another advantage of primary care follow‑ups. “A patient might mention a small ache during a visit. If we catch tendonitis early, it’s a week of rest. If it becomes tendonosis, it can mean months of rehab.”
Finally, PCPs coordinate the broader care team: physical therapists, sports medicine specialists, or orthopedic surgeons, when needed. “We don’t just fix the pain,” he says. “We fix the cause.”
As more Filipinos embrace the sport, Dr Corpuz emphasizes the need for baseline screening. The PAR‑Q+ questionnaire, he says, helps identify possible red flags such as chest pain, dizziness, medications affecting cardiovascular responses, or bone and joint issues. Strength and balance assessments are equally important: grip strength predicts vulnerability to pickleball elbow; a single‑leg stance test assesses ankle stability; and shoulder mobility tests help detect risks for impingement during overhead shots. Pickleball’s unique pattern of long pauses punctuated by sudden explosive movements also requires cardiovascular preparedness. For older adults or those with existing conditions, Dr Corpuz recommends ensuring resting blood pressure stays below 140/90 mmHg and screening for conditions like peripheral artery disease if calf cramping occurs.
For individuals managing chronic diseases (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, or obesity), he stresses a structured, tailored approach rather than casual participation. Warm‑ups are essential for those with hypertension to prevent sudden spikes in heart rate. Diabetic players must time games around meals and carry fast‑acting carbohydrates. Players with obesity should prioritize cushioned courts, slow the pace through “dink”-focused play, and pay careful attention to joint alignment.
He suggests a balanced weekly routine: pickleball on alternating days for aerobic and social benefits; strength training on off‑days for joint protection; and low‑impact activities on weekends for recovery.
Despite these cautions, Dr Corpuz remains enthusiastic. He celebrates pickleball’s accessibility, low cost, and community appeal—all factors fueling its rise across the Philippines. Barangay courts and sports centers now frequently repurpose badminton courts to meet growing demand. Corporate wellness programs and community fitness initiatives are adopting the sport not just for exercise but for team bonding and stress relief.
As he watches another match begin, Dr Corpuz smiles. “Pickleball is joy,” he says. “But joy is safest when the body is ready for it.”
References:
Corliss, J. (2025). Practical pointers for pickleballers. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/practical-pointers-for-pickleballers
Lauxtermann, L., & Stubbs, B. (2025). Padel, pickleball and wellbeing: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1614448.
Stroesser, K., Mulcaster, A., & Andrews, D. M. (2024). Pickleball participation and the health and well-being of adults: A scoping review. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 21(9), 847–860.
Oja, P., Kelly, P., Pedisic, Z., Titze, S., Bauman, A., Foster, C., Hamer, M., Hillsdon, M., & Stamatakis, E. (2017). Associations of specific types of sports and exercise with all-cause and cardiovascular-disease mortality: A cohort study of 80,306 British adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(10), 812–817.