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Most of us play tennis because we love the game so much. Some play because of the challenge of the competition from the tournaments that they play in, and then there are those who play for the benefits of the exercise. For whatever reason we play the game of tennis, I am sure that we would all agree that it is no fun playing hurt.
Tennis is classified as an anaerobic sport. This means that it involves a discontinuous repetition of quick stops and starts utilizing energy that is produced without the use of oxygen. Anaerobic activities are not nearly as efficient as aerobic activities and therefore do not last as long. If one was really interested in improving their overall fitness, tennis would not be the activity/sport to choose. Again, the reason is that the heart and lungs needs an activity that can be sustained for at least a period of twenty-thirty minutes at a time. Therefore, let us not fool ourselves, we play tennis more for the fun and enjoyment than for the exercise. After all, sport is meant to be fun and tennis is that ! The question that remains though is why do we play it if we are hurt ? Is it still fun ?
People play hurt for many reasons. Probably the most common reason that I have come across is "I thought that the pain would go away", but two months later it is still there. Where and when does one draw the line between seeking medical attention or continuing with your sport? I think that we have all experienced the muscle soreness the day after a tough three set match, but this is different from the pain that one experiences from a strained hamstring muscle (the muscle in the back of the thigh). There is no room in sport to be playing hurt as this can put one at risk of furthering the injury or risking injury to another area of the body. The decision to stop playing becomes that much more difficult when there is more on the line. That is, the first round of a local tournament versus the finals of a national tournament. The decision shouldn’t be that difficult unless one earns their living from tennis.
We all know that a tennis professional earns his/her living from playing/teaching tennis, but to what extent should they risk their body for their chosen profession. The answer is not an easy one and it really depends on the severity of the injury and its potential to become chronic. The point of the matter though, is that the decision should be made jointly between the player and the doctor. One may play with a little discomfort, but one should never play with pain. The difference is that pain will interfere with ones proper mechanics, whereas discomfort allows one to still function well but with a reminder that the muscle/ligament/joint does not feel 100 %. Nonetheless, the subtle difference at times can be missed and a mistake may be made in the decision making process. Therefore, check it out sooner than later with your sports healthcare practitioner.
This topic, "playing hurt", came to my mind while working at The Players Ltd. International. I saw a player who had had an injury for over two years, but never really understood his injury. The problem involved his dominant side (his bread and butter arm) but he did not really understand the implications of his injury even though it could have ended his career. So I asked myself, "where does one draw the line when playing hurt/injured ?"; perhaps, when one is a professional athlete, and large sums of money are involved. Sports is one place where the adage "when money talks, people listen" should not apply. Education is still the best treatment with a strong emphasis on primary prevention. Therefore, the only time one should play "hurt" is when it is your opponents last name.
Respectfully submitted,
Howard A. Winston
MD, CCFP, FCFP
Dip. Sport Med. (CASM)
Medical Director, The Centre for Health & Sports Medicine
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