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Effect of a Multi-Faceted Training Program on Falls in Senior Pickleball Players
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA.
Background/Objectives:
Over half of older adults who play pickleball report falling during play, yet little is known regarding the ability of training programs to reduce the incidence of falls or fear of falling (FOF). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a multi-faceted training program for senior pickleball players who reported falling while playing pickleball or self-limiting play due to FOF.
Methods:
This cohort study included 12 participants in the training group (TG) and 17 in the control group (CG) who were at least 55 years of age, regularly played pickleball, and reported falling while playing or limiting play due to FOF. Hip abduction strength, change in direction (COD), and agility were assessed. Participants completed a survey regarding fall history and FOF. The TG participated in a 10-week program focused on strength, balance, COD, and agility.
Results:
At baseline, there were no between-group differences except that the CG participated in walking for exercise more often than the TG. The strength analysis showed no significant main effects of time or group, but there was a significant Group × Time interaction, F(1, 25) = 14.86, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.240. Simple effects analysis showed that the TG demonstrated a strong trend toward improvement (9.9 Nm increase, +5%, p = 0.091) while the CG significantly declined (18.4 Nm decrease, -12%, p < 0.001). The COD analysis revealed no significant main effects of time or group, but there was a significant Group × Time interaction, F(1, 26) = 8.21, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.373. Simple effects analysis showed that the TG significantly improved their COD time (0.7 s faster, p = 0.045) while the CG showed no significant change (0.25 s slower, p = 0.168). The TG had a significant decrease in FOF, z = -2.427, p = 0.015, r = 0.701. The agility analysis revealed no significant effects for time, group, or Group × Time interaction, F(1, 26) = 0.89, p = 0.354, with both groups showing minimal non-significant changes. At the end of training, the TG was playing 50% more pickleball than the CG, z = -2.192, p = 0.028. At the 5-month follow-up, 25% of the TG reported falling during play compared to 44% of the CG.
Conclusions:
A multi-faceted training program can effectively reduce FOF and improve physical performance in senior pickleball players.
