Sport of Tennis - 3 Injuries

This paper explores three common injuries in the sport of tennis: tennis elbow, rotator cuff, and ankle sprain. It discusses the incidence, frequency rate, anatomical structures affected, causes, types, and applied injury management. The paper also provides preventive methods to reduce the risk of these injuries.

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Running head: SPORT OF TENNIS – 3 INJURIES
Sport of Tennis – 3 Injuries
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation

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SPORT OF TENNIS – 3 INJURIES
Abstract
The paper seeks to explore three injuries in the sport of tennis. The primary focus will
be on tennis elbow, rotator cuff, and ankle sprain injuries. In the effort of explaining the three
injuries naturally, the literature review has focused more on previous studies that have addressed
injuries in the game of tennis and documented evidence. Moreover, literature review explores the
incidence associated with the three injuries. Also, it will address the frequency rate of the three
injuries, anatomical structures affected in tennis elbow, rotator cuff, and sprain injuries, causes
and types of the three injuries. Lastly, the paper shall address applied injury management where
it will focus on one injury, were a step by step exercise on how to prevent the damage will be
described and the role of the coach when the incidence occurs in the field.
Introduction
Sporting activities play a critical role in our contemporary society. In New Zealand
approximate 45% of the population play sports activities. Despite, the benefits of sporting
activities in a person’s health it may also lead to severe injuries. Typically, tennis is a universal
game played at all ages and all level of society (Anderson, & Parr, 2013). Tennis is a racket
game that can be performed on either one opponent against one challenger or two opponents
against two challengers. The primary goal of the game is to maneuver the tennis ball in such a
way that the challenger is unable to play a valid return (Anderson, & Parr, 2013). Tennis elbow
is a common injury where the pain is intensive on both the arm and the elbow. Usually, the
damage occurs when the muscles around the elbow are strained over and over again. For
instance, in tennis hitting backhand strains the muscles around the forearm. However, the injury
can be avoided if one has a proper technique for handling the racquet.

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On the other hand, the rotator cuff is an injury associated with muscles around the
shoulder. The damage occurs when the tendons tissue is progressively stained. Typically, joints
are vulnerable to injury especial among the tennis players as there is a movement of muscles
around the shoulder. Tennis game involves running, and in the process, a player might land on
the outside of the foot, with the foot turns inward. Therefore, the lateral ankle ligament is
damage.
Nevertheless, the injury is unavoidable, but the risk can be reduced by ensuring a player
perform a complete warm-up before the game starts and regular training so that the body can get
used to the game (Armstrong, & Hubbard, 2016). Due, to the tedious nature of tennis, both the
pros and amateur players are at risk of tennis elbow, rotator cuff, and ankle sprain injuries.
However, the risks can be reduced in some ways. For example, through regular training and
performing a complete warm-up before the start of any game.
Literature Review
Tennis Elbow Injury
Tennis elbow is a common injury in tennis where the pain is severe on both the arm
and the elbow. Usually, the damage occurs when the muscles around the elbow are strained over
and over again. Typically, it is the inflammation of the tendons that cause pain in both the arm
and the elbow. According to Young et at., (2015), any tedious activities that involve gripping
may contribute to the damage. Recent studies have shown that the injury is common among
people aged 41 to 45 years.
Prevalence of Tennis Elbow Injury

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Tennis is the most common racquet game across the globe. Tennis sport is a universal
game played at all ages and all level of society. According to Furness et al., (2015) tennis elbow
tends to affect both women and men equally. However, the prevalence rate of elbow injury is
15% among the professional players when compared to 30% among the amateurs. Despite, the
condition viewed as tennis injury only 10% of tennis players make up the patient population.
Causes of Tennis Elbow Injury
Tennis elbow is branded as an overuse injury of the forearm. Usually, the damage occurs
when the muscles around the elbow are strained for a prolonged period. Tedious movements like
gripping a racket during swing put too much strain on the tendons which cause tears of the
tissues resulting in the pain around the forearm (Doherty et al., 2015). Also, in tennis, hitting
backhand strains the muscles around the forearm which contract when a player hit the ball.
Type of the Injury
Tennis elbow injury is a type of musculoskeletal condition that causes pain in both the
arm and the elbow. Typically, this type of damage affects the tendons which are tissues that
connect the muscles of the lower arm to the bone. Moreover, this type of injury is a painful
injury caused by overuse of the elbow tendons which results in inflammation and tiny tears of the
ligaments and eventual; the result is tennis elbow pain.
Anatomical Structures Affected in Tennis Elbow Injury
A person’s elbow plays a critical role in the movement of the arm. The elbow joint is
made up of three bones the radius, ulna, and humerus which are held together by the tendons,
extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscles and the ligaments (Cools, Johansson, Borms, &
Maenhout, 2015). Typically, the tendons and the ECRB muscles are linked with the tennis elbow

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injury because the injury occurs when the muscles around the elbow are strained. For instance, it
happens when a player grips a racket during swing which puts too much strain on the tendons
thus causes tears of the tissues resulting in the pain around the forearm and the elbow.
Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The signs and symptoms of tennis elbow advance progressively. In most scenarios, the
pain starts as a trifling and gradually deteriorate as time progresses. However, there is no precise
damage associated with the flinch of symptoms. The typical signs and symptoms of the injury
are weak grip and pain on elbow. Usually, the pain degenerate when the forearm is subjected to a
continues strenuous activities such as turning a wrench, gripping a racquet, shaking hands or
lifting something (Lewis, McCreesh, Roy, & Ginn, 2015). Recent studies have shown that the
most affected arm is the dominant arm because it is subjected to overworking. However, both
arms are susceptible to the tennis elbow injury.
Preventive Methods that have been Adopted to Prevent the Occurrence of Tennis
Elbow Injury
It must be noted that avoiding tennis elbow injury is difficult, but the risk of the condition
can be reduced. Tennis coaches across the globe have adopted the technique of warming up
before the game start (Houlihan, & Malcolm, 2015). Warming-up is an appropriate technique in
preventing the occurrence of the injury as the muscles will be flexible hence reducing the
chances of getting the damage. Also, regular training is a significant method that will prevent the
occurrence of the injury as the body will get used to the activity thus, reducing the risk of
developing tennis elbow.

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Nevertheless, regular exercise will strengthen the forearm muscles which can help reduce
the chances of getting tennis elbow. Lastly, the most common technique is wearing the tennis
elbow splint when playing the game. The method is useful as it reduces pressure around the
elbow hence, preventing the occurrence.
Rotator Cuff Injury
The rotator cuff is an injury associated with muscles around the shoulder. The damage
occurs when the tendon tissue is progressively stained. Stereotypically, a shoulder is vulnerable
to injury especial among tennis players as there is a movement of muscles around the joint. The
rotator cuff is universal among tennis players as their shoulders are subjected to a wide range of
motion which strains the muscles during the game (Ribbans, Ribbans, Cruickshank, & Wood,
2015). The injury can be prevented through consistent exercises as the muscles will be
strengthened. Recent studies have shown that muscles imbalances are a high contributor of
rotator cuff injuries in tennis players. Therefore, any exercise should be done appropriately to
avoid cases of muscles imbalances.
Prevalence of Rotator Cuff Injury
Tennis game is one of the overhead sports, making its players vulnerable to rotator cuff
injury. The study that was conducted by Furness et al., (2015) indicated that 59% of tennis
players who continue to play at their middle age, the prevalence of rotator cuff injury increases.
However, the precise causes of rotator cuff injuries are not known, but the incidence appears to
increase with age. Moreover, recent studies have shown that rotator cuff injury is common
among the tennis players, 60% of tennis players are affected with this type of injury.
Causes of Rotator Cuff Injury

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Rotator cuff injuries occur when the tendons tissue is progressively stained. Typically,
shoulders are vulnerable to injuries especial among the tennis players as there is a movement of
muscles around the joint. According to Furness et al., (2015) rotator cuff injury may be the
fallouts of either progressive disintegration of the tendons tissues or an extensive injury to the
shoulder. It must be noted that monotonous overhead activities over a continued period damage
the tendons. Age is one of the factors that increase the risk of rotator cuff injury. Past studies
have shown that as one gets older, he/she becomes more vulnerable to the condition.
Type of the Injury
The rotator cuff is a set of tendons and muscles that consent the movement of both the
shoulder and the arm. Also, rotator cuff clutches the shoulders joints in its place. Rotator injury
is a type of musculoskeletal condition that causes pain in the shoulder (Furness et al., (2015).
Moreover, it is a critical injury that needs to be treated early to avoid complications such as
permanent loss of motion or severe deterioration of the shoulder joint.
Anatomical Structures Affected in Rotator Cuff
A person’s shoulder plays a critical role in the day to day activities, but many people
take it for granted. Joints help players especially tennis play to serve the ball, for instance during
wind up or early cocking. Typically, Rotator cuff is a set of tendons and muscles that consent the
movement of both the shoulder and the arm. It helps a person to raise or rotate his or her arm.
Kinetic chain theory state that all segment of the body needs to be in shape to produce a perfect
serve.
Signs and Symptoms of Rotator Cuff

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The signs and symptoms of rotator cuff advance gradually. The common sign and
symptoms of the rotator cuff are swelling and pain in front of your arm and shoulder. Also, the
pain is prompted by lowering or raising your arm. The stiffness of the joint is one of the signs of
the rotator cuff. Moreover, the damage is associated with a clicking sound when one raises his or
her arm.
Preventive Methods that have been Adopted to Prevent the Occurrence of Rotator
Cuff Injury
Past studies have shown that regular strengthening exercise and stretches help to
reduce the risk of rotator cuff as the muscles around the shoulder get used to the repetitive
activity. It is important to strengthen both the back and front muscles of the shoulder to avoid a
case of muscles imbalances. For example, face-pulls exercise is the best exercise to strengthen
the back muscles of a joint. Training is an effective method to prevent the occurrence of rotator
tears as it occurs because of weak shoulders muscles sustenance. Also, shoulder exercise is an
added advantage as it adds power to both groundstrokes and serves.
Ankle Sprain Injury
Ankle sprain injury is a common injury among tennis players because moving and
returning effective ball is the primary objective of the game and in the process, a player might
land on the outside of the foot resulting in an ankle twist. It must be noted that the injury is
unavoidable, but the risks can be reduced by ensuring a player perform a complete warm-up
before the game starts.
Prevalence of Ankle Sprain Injury

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Ankle injuries are the common damage in the sport of tennis. Recent studies have
shown that ankle sprain injury has a higher frequency of 63% occurrence in both the armatures
and pros. An ankle sprain as a musculoskeletal injury has a higher prevalence rate.
Causes of Ankle Sprain Injuries
Ankle sprain injury is also known as twisted ankle the condition occurs when one
obstinately twists his or her ankle. Usually, when the ankle is twisted the ligaments stretch hence
causing a server pain around the ankle. An ankle sprain can happen to anyone regardless of age
or gender. Tennis game involves running, and in the process, a player might land on the outside
of the foot, with the foot turns inward. Therefore, the lateral ankle ligament is damage.
Type of the Injury
Ankle sprain injury is a type of musculoskeletal injury that occurs when the ankle gets
twisted as a result of landing awkwardly. The lateral ankle ligament is the component that gets
damaged when a player turns his or her ankle. Recent studies have shown that ankle sprain injury
is a common damage in both the pros and amateurs of tennis sports.
Anatomical Structures Affected in Ankle Sprain Injury
An ankle sprain is a type of an overturn-twist that is followed by inflammation and
pain. The lateral ankle ligament is the common part where the damage occurs. The lateral ankle
is made up of calcaneofibular, posterior talofibular, and anterior talofibular ligaments (Dines et
al., 2016). The primary function of the ligaments is to alleviate the joint, and it keeps the bones
in their positions.
Signs and Symptoms of Ankle Spain Injury

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The common sign and symptoms of an ankle sprain are inflammation and pain around
the ankle; this is because the lateral ankle ligaments have stretch causing the bone to dislocate.
Also, the injury is linked with discoloring of the skin. Lastly, the damage is associated with
stiffness and tenderness of the ankle. It is advisable to consult with your doctor the moment you
feel pain in the ankle to avoid complications.
Preventive Methods that have been Adopted to Prevent the Occurrence of Ankle
Sprain Injury
The most effective method that has been adopted in preventing ankle sprain injury is to
ensure that player perform a complete warm-up before the game starts and ensuring regular
training so that the body can get used to the game (Dines et al., 2016). For instance, ankle roll is
the best exercise to do before the game starts as it helps to make the ankle flexible. Also,
appropriate foot-ware is an effective way to prevent the occurrence of ankle sprain as it helps the
player to move fluidly during the game.
Conclusion
Tennis is a global game played at all ages and all level of society. The primary objective
of the game is to maneuver the tennis ball in such a way that the challenger is unable to play a
valid return. Due, to the tedious nature of tennis, both the pros and amateur players are at risk of
tennis elbow, rotator cuff, and ankle sprain injuries. However, the risks can be reduced in some
ways. For example, through regular training and performing a complete warm-up before the start
of any game. Tennis injuries are common causes of disability, and it can have a considerable
social, economic constraint, both on a societal and personal level. Therefore, it is critical to
developing effective procedures for the prevention of tennis injurie

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Applied Injury Management
Injury management is significant in any sports because any game has some risk of injury.
Injury prevention, identification and treatment, and rehabilitation are the three primary gears to
effective injury management. Prevention has been proven to be the best method of circumventing
unnecessary injury and pain that keeps a player of the court. On the other hand, injury
rehabilitation is critical because without proper rehabilitation original injury might worsen
(Buning, & Gibson, 2015). Tennis injuries are frequently tissue injuries to tendons, ligaments,
joints or muscles. The paper will use the tennis elbow injury to explore the role of a coach when
the damage occurs and a step by step procedure on how to prevent the occurrence of the injury.
Coach Role
Coaching is a vast responsibility as it ensures both the success and physical wellbeing of
a player. As a coach, my role is to be involved in all portion of my player health care, for
instance, recognition and first aid care, rehabilitation, assessment and treatment of the injury. In
the case of an elbow injury, my role will be to provide first aid care to relieve the pain by
applying ice. Applying ice is useful as it reduces the inflammation and swelling. Also, my role as
a coach will be to provide tennis elbow splint to reduce pressure around the elbow thus relieving
the pain (Buning, & Gibson, 2015). Moreover, as a coach I will assess the injury to ensure that
the player is safe to proceed with the game this will help to avoid further complications.
Response and Assessment
Tennis elbow injury is common among tennis players. Typically, tennis elbow injury is a
painful injury caused by overuse of the elbow tendons which results in inflammation and tiny
tears of the tendons and eventual; the results are tennis elbow pain. As a coach, the response will

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be first because of its pain. The first step of the assessment will be to ask the player to flatten
their elbow and to bend their wrist upwards. Then the next step is to place the other hand at the
back of their inverted hand and use minimal force to push as they resist. The push is all that is
needed to reproduce the pain. When there is a weakness, it indicates that tennis elbow is present.
Injury Management
Injury management has three critical components prevention, identification and
treatment, and rehabilitation of the injury. For the case of tennis elbow injury, prevention is
crucial as it assures minimal occurrence of the injury. Warming-up is one of the effective
methods that ensure the minimal occurrence of the condition (Dines et al., 2016). Also, treatment
is a critical module of injury management and is supposed to be done by a qualified physician.
Lastly, rehabilitation plays a crucial role as it ensures full recovery of the injury. Appropriate
exercises should be done to strengthen the muscles around the elbow.
Preventive Method
Systematic Exercise is one of the effective methods of preventing tennis elbow injury as
it strengthens the forearm muscles which can help reduce the chances of getting tennis elbow.
Wrist flexing exercise is one of the appropriate practices that minimize the occurrence of tennis
elbow. Equipment needed for this exercise are two ponds dumbbell and a chair. The first step is
to sit on a chair holding the dumbbell with your elbow resting on your knee and your palm facing
up. The second step is to twist your wrist up and down ten times. The exercise aims to strengthen
your muscles around the wrist.
Support Staff Role

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Support staff in tennis play a critical role in the wellbeing of a player (Buning, &
Gibson, 2015). Also, support staff helps the coach to ensure that players are equipped with
appropriate techniques for handling the racquets to prevent unnecessary injuries. Also, support
staff assists in the treatment of injuries. For example, applying of ice around the elbow to reduce
the pain and inflammation.

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