How to Get Rid of Tennis Elbow | Technique, Racquets & Strings
TLDRThe video script discusses the prevalence of tennis elbow among recreational players compared to elite athletes, attributing the difference to technique and body mechanics. It emphasizes that high-level players use their whole body, not just their arm, to hit the ball, reducing stress on the arm. The script also covers four main causes of tennis elbow, including poor technique, incorrect racket grip size, unresponsive rackets, and improper string types and tensions. It advises on choosing equipment to alleviate tennis elbow, suggesting larger head size, head-heavy rackets, stiffer frames, and specific string materials like polyester. The video also addresses misconceptions about 'arm-friendly' rackets and stresses the importance of considering all factors when selecting tennis gear to prevent or treat tennis elbow.
Takeaways
- 🎾 High-level tennis players rarely suffer from tennis elbow due to their body working in harmony to strike the ball, unlike recreational players who often use their arm in isolation.
- 🤕 Recreational tennis players have a higher incidence of tennis elbow, with estimates suggesting around 50% suffer from it, often due to improper technique and overuse of the arm.
- 🏸 Elite players make better contact with the ball, reducing the stress on their arm and the likelihood of developing tennis elbow from off-center hits.
- 👉 The main causes of tennis elbow include technique, racket choice, strings and tension, and sometimes unrelated activities outside of tennis.
- 🤹♂️ Technique plays a significant role, especially in backhand strokes, where poor form can lead to tennis elbow.
- 🧰 The correct grip size on the racket is crucial; an incorrect size can lead to increased tension and stress on the arm, potentially causing tennis elbow.
- 🛠️ Racket responsiveness is key for those with tennis elbow; stiffer, more powerful rackets can reduce the effort needed to hit the ball, which can be beneficial.
- 🔄 String type and tension are important; monofilament polyester strings are recommended for their responsiveness and power, which can reduce arm stress.
- 📏 Racket specifications such as head size, weight, balance, and stiffness should be considered to find one that reduces the likelihood of tennis elbow.
- 👁🗨 Personal preference and comfort with a racket are important; if a player is not experiencing pain and is satisfied with their current racket, there's no need to switch.
- ❓ In some cases, the source of tennis elbow pain can be unclear and might be related to activities outside of tennis, requiring a holistic approach to resolution.
Q & A
Why do high-level tennis players rarely suffer from tennis elbow?
-High-level tennis players rarely suffer from tennis elbow because they don't use their arm in isolation. They use their entire body to work in perfect harmony and unison, which helps the arm and reduces the stress on it.
What percentage of recreational tennis players reportedly suffer from tennis elbow?
-It is reported that 50% of recreational tennis players worldwide suffer from tennis elbow.
Why are recreational tennis players more prone to tennis elbow?
-Recreational tennis players are more prone to tennis elbow because they often use their arm in isolation and do not use their body to help the arm, leading to overuse and potential injury.
How do high-level players minimize the risk of tennis elbow?
-High-level players minimize the risk of tennis elbow by making good contact with the ball, hitting it in the sweet spot, which reduces the stress on their arm.
What are the four main causes of tennis elbow mentioned in the script?
-The four main causes of tennis elbow mentioned are technique, racket (including grip size), strings and tension, and the way players make contact with the ball.
Why is the backhand side usually affected in tennis elbow?
-The backhand side is usually affected in tennis elbow because when hitting a backhand volley, slice backhand, or one-handed backhand, all the impact is absorbed on the outside of the arm.
What is the recommended grip size for a tennis racket to prevent tennis elbow?
-The recommended grip size is one where you can comfortably fit the index finger of your non-dominant hand inside the gap between your fingers and the palm of your hand when gripping the racket.
Why are responsive rackets recommended for tennis players with tennis elbow?
-Responsive rackets, which tend to be stiffer, are recommended because they require less effort to hit the ball, potentially reducing the stress on the arm and alleviating tennis elbow symptoms.
What is the confusion regarding arm-friendly rackets and their stiffness?
-The confusion is that many people believe softer, more flexible rackets are better for the arm, but the script suggests that stiffer, more responsive rackets can actually be more arm-friendly as they require less effort to hit the ball.
Why is it recommended to use a larger head size and head heavy racket if suffering from tennis elbow?
-A larger head size and head heavy racket are recommended because they provide more power and a larger sweet spot, which can reduce the effort required to hit the ball and potentially alleviate tennis elbow symptoms.
What type of string is recommended to help with tennis elbow, and why?
-Monofilament polyester string is recommended because it is more responsive, powerful, and requires less effort to hit the ball, which can help reduce the stress on the arm and potentially alleviate tennis elbow.
What is the importance of string tension when it comes to tennis elbow?
-String tension is important because higher tension can lead to a stiffer and less responsive racket, which may require more effort to hit the ball and could contribute to tennis elbow. Looser stringing is suggested to reduce this risk.
Why might a player with tennis elbow not benefit from using the Wilson Clash racket?
-Despite the Wilson Clash being marketed as an arm-friendly racket due to its softness, the script suggests that its softness, combined with other factors like headlight balance and lower stiffness rating, might not provide the healing qualities promised and could still contribute to tennis elbow.
What should a player consider when choosing a racket to help with tennis elbow?
-A player should consider factors such as head size, weight, balance (head heavy vs. headlight), stiffness rating, and string type and tension. The goal is to find a racket that reduces the effort required to hit the ball and supports the arm.
Can tennis elbow be caused by activities outside of tennis?
-Yes, tennis elbow can be caused by activities outside of tennis, such as other sports or even work done at home. It is important to consider all potential causes when addressing the issue.
Outlines
🎾 High-Level Players and Tennis Elbow Prevention
This paragraph discusses the low incidence of tennis elbow among high-level tennis players compared to the high rates among recreational players. It highlights that elite players avoid tennis elbow by using their whole body in harmony rather than isolating their arm during play. Recreational players, on the other hand, often suffer from tennis elbow due to overusing their arm without proper body support. The paragraph also touches on the importance of making good contact with the ball to minimize shock absorption and the potential for injury.
🎾 Causes of Tennis Elbow and Racket Grip
The second paragraph delves into the primary causes of tennis elbow, emphasizing technique as a significant factor, especially with the backhand stroke. It also discusses the importance of having the correct racket grip size to prevent excessive gripping force, which can contribute to tennis elbow. The speaker shares a test to determine the appropriate grip size and explains how an incorrect grip size can lead to instability and increased stress on the arm.
🎾 Racket Responsiveness and Player-Level Rackets
This paragraph examines the concept of racket responsiveness and challenges the common advice to use less responsive (softer, more flexible) rackets for tennis elbow. It presents a list of powerful, responsive rackets often used by lower-level or older players, which are typically stiffer and head-heavy, and argues that these attributes make them more arm-friendly due to the reduced effort required to hit the ball. The paragraph also addresses the marketing confusion around arm-friendly rackets and their specifications.
🎾 Choosing the Right Racket for Tennis Elbow Relief
The speaker provides advice on selecting a racket to alleviate tennis elbow, suggesting that a racket should be chosen based on personal comfort and performance rather than frequent changes. They discuss the importance of racket specifications such as head size, weight, balance, and stiffness, and how these can affect a player's arm health. The paragraph emphasizes that a racket should facilitate ease of play and reduce energy exertion to help manage tennis elbow.
🎾 String Type, Tension, and Their Impact on Tennis Elbow
The focus shifts to the impact of string type and tension on tennis elbow. The speaker recommends monofilament polyester strings for their responsiveness and power, sharing personal experiences of helping players alleviate tennis elbow with such strings. They also discuss the importance of string tension, suggesting that lower tensions can reduce the effort needed to hit the ball and thus potentially lessen tennis elbow pain.
🎾 Addressing Tennis Elbow with Equipment Adjustments
The final paragraph wraps up the discussion by addressing the complexity of selecting the right tennis equipment for managing tennis elbow. It acknowledges that personal preferences and experiences play a significant role in choosing rackets and strings. The speaker also mentions the Wilson Clash racket, noting that while it may be suitable for some players, it may not offer the healing qualities claimed by its marketing for those with tennis elbow. The paragraph concludes by advising players to consider all factors and their whole picture when dealing with tennis elbow.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Tennis Elbow
💡High-Level Players
💡Recreational Players
💡Technique
💡Racket
💡Grip Size
💡Responsiveness
💡String and Tension
💡Sweet Spot
💡Wilson Clash
💡Arm-Friendly
Highlights
High-level tennis players rarely suffer from tennis elbow, with only a few exceptions noted.
Recreational tennis players have a much higher rate of tennis elbow, with 50% reportedly affected worldwide.
High-level players avoid tennis elbow by not using their arm in isolation, instead relying on full body coordination.
Recreational players often use their arm in isolation, leading to overuse and a higher chance of developing tennis elbow.
Elite players make better contact with the ball, reducing the stress on their arm and the likelihood of tennis elbow.
There are four main causes of tennis elbow, including technique, racket, strings, and tension, with an additional cause being unidentified.
Poor technique, especially in backhand strokes, can lead to tennis elbow due to the impact absorbed on the outside of the arm.
Using the wrong grip size can contribute to tennis elbow, with too large a grip requiring excessive grip strength.
Racket responsiveness is key to reducing tennis elbow, contrary to popular advice suggesting softer, less responsive rackets.
Rackets marketed as arm-friendly are often softer, but this can be misleading as stiffer rackets can be more beneficial.
Highly responsive rackets, such as the HEAD TiS6 and Dunlop LX1000, are powerful and can be arm-friendly despite being stiff.
The confusion between racket stiffness and arm-friendliness is prevalent, with many players misunderstanding the benefits of each.
If experiencing arm pain, it's recommended to switch to a racket with a larger head size, more head heavy balance, reduced weight, and increased stiffness.
Professional players rarely switch rackets, suggesting that finding a suitable racket and sticking with it is beneficial.
The choice of strings and tension can impact tennis elbow, with monofilament polyester strings recommended for their responsiveness.
Stringing rackets with lower tension can help alleviate tennis elbow by reducing the effort required to hit the ball.
The Wilson Clash, marketed as highly arm-friendly, may not live up to its promises for players with tennis elbow due to its softness and light head.
Tennis elbow can sometimes be unrelated to tennis and may stem from other activities or changes in technique.
Transcripts
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