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Dangers (Risks) of Playing Squash: What You Need​ to Know!

When I was invited to play a game of squash with a few of my friends recently, I became interested in learning everything I could about the sport. Since I am not very experienced with sports games like this, I decided to do some research on some of the dangerous things that can happen throughout these activities.

Some of the dangers that are associated with the game of squash include eye and body injuries, player collisions, muscle strains, and bruises. This can happen when the ball hits a body part while it is moving fast, or when players run around and bump into each other at high speeds.

In some extreme circumstances, the game of squash can even cause a heart attack. While playing such a fast-paced and energetic game, it is essential to always take safety precautions in order to avoid these common injuries.

Squash is a racquet game that is usually played in sets of partners. The general object of the game is to switch off hitting the ball toward the wall that the players are facing. While this might seem like a simple game, it is actually quite a competitive sport.

If you’re new to this sport, we suggest you check the following clip.

Video Source: SHAPE Magazine / YouTube

Like any other kind of physical activity, playing a game of squash can potentially result in injury if you are not careful. In this article, we will be talking about the dangers that come with playing squash. Keep reading to find out everything you know about the risk that accompanies this well-loved sport.

Squash is an intense sport

While most people have never heard of the game of squash, it is actually somewhat of a worldwide phenomenon. Millions of people enjoy playing the game and even watching others play.

In fact, there is an entire professional league of squash players. These players compete in matches, with some of them being crowned squash champions in different regions.

With that being said, squash can become a very competitive sport. Whether you are playing in a league of your own, or you and your friends enjoy a little bit of friendly competition, it is likely that the game will get rough at one point or another.

The basic concept of squash is hitting a ball with a racquet against the four walls in the playing room. As you can probably imagine, this is pretty much a recipe for injury, especially when the adrenaline is pumping and the competitive spirit is in the air.

The most dangerous sport in the world?

With that being said, squash can be considered one of the most dangerous sports in the world.

To give you a better idea of what can happen during a game of squash, we will start by going over some of the general dangers that are associated with the sport. Take a look at the list down below to find out some of the risk factors that you face when you play squash.

Potential accidents and injuries during a Squash game

Here are some of the risk factors that you can come in contact with while playing Squash:

  • Eye injuries
  • Muscle strains (wrist especially)
  • Player collisions
  • Bodily injuries and bruises
  • Heart attack

1. Eye Injuries

First of all, you can put yourself at risk of a severe eye injury while playing squash. As previously explained, the game includes hitting a ball toward four walls, and at very fast speeds at that.

As a result, the ball will have to bounce back at you somewhere. If you are not careful, this could, unfortunately, end up being your eye. And we don’t have to talk about how much it would hurt to have a flying ball land right into your eye socket.

2. Muscle strains

Squash is also a game of running and hitting things with a racquet in your hand, meaning that it will require you to use your strength and muscles to participate in the sport. This can result in muscle strains, especially in your wrist.

If you are not able to grip your racquet properly or it is too heavy for you, then you will be at a higher risk for this type of injury.

3. Player collisions

In addition, you can also run into other players. Since you will be running around trying to hit the ball and your focus will be, mostly, on that, it is very likely that you will run into other players from time to time.

Depending on how fast and strong each of the players is, this could be a more serious injury than you might think when the impact really comes into play.

4. Bodily injuries and bruises

You can also get some bodily injuries and bruises of your own from either falling or coming in direct contact with the ball. It will often come flying very fast, and you might not have enough time to move out of the way before it hits you in the ribcage or shin.

5. Heart attacks

Finally, it is possible to suffer from a heart attack on the squash court. Due to the fast pace of the game and all of the physical activity that goes into it, this sport is not for those who have cardiovascular problems. There are so many things going on in a split second on the squash court, which can cause a lot of stress.

While this does not necessarily mean that you will automatically have a heart attack if you ever play squash, you should take it as a precaution for the future.

Speaking of precautions, there are plenty that you can take in order to avoid most of these injuries while you are playing squash, which we will get into in the next section. Keep reading to find out what you can do to stay out of the hospital during a game of squash.

How to avoid injuries while playing Squash

Now that you have read all of the details about the types of injuries that you can get while you are playing squash, you might be scared away from ever trying it. Since that is not the goal of this article, we will counteract your newfound fears with some tips on how to avoid injuries while playing squash.

The list down below will outline some helpful tips that you can follow in order to stay away from the accidents that can happen out on the court.

To avoid (or decrease the probabilities of) injuries or accidents while playing Squash:

  • Wear the appropriate safety equipment
  • Prepare yourself before you play (stretching and warming up)
  • Relax while you are playing
  • Know your limits (and don’t exceed them)
  • Don’t play if you have health problems

Wear the appropriate equipment

First of all, you want to make sure that you wear the appropriate safety equipment. After all, you can’t expect your body to be protected if you do nothing to cover it.

Since squash is such an unpredictable sport with the ball flying all around a closed room at several miles per hour, you never know when it could strike you, or where. This is something that can sound very worrisome to the new or inexperienced player, but it is also something that can be avoided as much as possible.

The basic safety equipment that you will need for squash includes protective eyewear, knee and elbow pads, and sweatbands on your wrists and forehead. You can choose to go even further and wear a helmet or a vest, but it might limit your mobility on the court.

It is crucial to protect your eyes from the ball because it is very possible for it to hit you straight in the eye and ruin your vision. This eyewear should be approved for playing squash specifically, so it would be smart to do your research on this before you buy.

Additionally, the sweatbands will help you to keep sweat from dripping into your eyes and obstructing your vision. The eyes are one of the most essential tools that you can have with you in a game of squash.

Stretch and warm up

Prepare yourself before you play by stretching and warming up. A stiff body with muscles that haven’t been stretched and a game of squash is surely a recipe for disaster. You wouldn’t play a sport without stretching first, and squash is no exception.

Relax!

Try to keep yourself relaxed while you are playing, because tense muscles are just as bad as stiff ones while doing any kind of physical activity.

Know your body and stay within your limits

Finally, know your limits and do not exceed them. If you know that you are pushing yourself too hard, take a break. If you are trying to do something on the court that you know you won’t be able to execute without getting hurt, just don’t do it.

Similarly, if you have cardiovascular problems, you will need to be aware of your health needs. This does not necessarily mean that you cannot play, but know the risk and pace yourself accordingly.

As you can see, there are a few dangers that come with playing squash, but this is nothing that you can’t handle as long as you follow through with a few safety precautions and take preventative measures.