Summer is sports season.

Pickleball courts are packed, golf courses are busy, and tennis players are spending longer days outside enjoying the weather. While staying active is great for overall health, many people notice something else appearing alongside their new hobby: back pain.

So which summer sport is toughest on your spine? The answer may surprise you.

The Short Answer: It Depends on Your Body

There is no universal “worst” sport for your spine.

What matters more is:

• Your existing spine health
• Previous injuries
• Conditioning level
• Technique and mechanics
• Frequency of play
• Recovery time between activities

That said, certain sports create different stresses on the body—and some may increase the risk of sports injuries more than others.

Pickleball: Small Court, Big Demands

Pickleball looks simple until you play multiple matches.

The sport involves:

• Sudden starts and stops
• Repetitive bending
• Quick twisting movements
• Rapid direction changes
• Frequent lunging

Why your spine complains:

The combination of rotation, bending, and explosive movement can place significant stress on the lower back.

Many players develop symptoms because they increase activity faster than their bodies can adapt.

Common complaints include:

• Low back pain
• Hip tightness
• Muscle strains
• Joint irritation

Golf: Repetition Is the Real Problem

Golf appears less intense—but your spine may disagree.

A golf swing creates significant rotational force repeatedly throughout a round.

Potential spine stressors include:

• Repetitive twisting
• Rotational loading
• Walking long distances
• Carrying equipment
• Poor swing mechanics

Why your spine complains:

Even moderate spinal rotation repeated hundreds of times can create irritation, particularly in patients with existing back problems.

Golf-related pain often develops gradually rather than from a single injury.

Tennis: Speed Plus Rotation

Tennis combines many of the challenges of both golf and pickleball.

Players experience:

• Explosive movements
• Twisting motions
• Serving overhead repeatedly
• Rapid acceleration and stopping
• High impact forces

Why your spine complains:

The combination of rotational stress and higher physical demands may create both acute injuries and repetitive strain.

Back pain, shoulder problems, and muscle strains are common complaints.

So Which Sport Wins?

If we are talking about repetitive spinal rotation: golf creates enormous rotational stress.

If we are talking about quick movement and sudden stress: pickleball may create more unexpected injuries.

If we are talking about overall physical demand: tennis often combines multiple risk factors.

The real winner?

Doing too much too quickly.

Most sports injuries occur when enthusiasm increases faster than conditioning.

How To Protect Your Spine This Summer

Simple strategies may reduce injury risk:

• Warm up before activity
• Increase activity gradually
• Work on flexibility and mobility
• Take recovery seriously
• Avoid playing through worsening pain
• Address symptoms early

Remaining active is important—but recovery matters too.

When Back Pain Needs More Than Rest

Some soreness after activity is expected.

However, symptoms deserve evaluation when pain:

• Continues between activities
• Radiates into the legs
• Causes numbness or tingling
• Limits normal movement
• Continues worsening
• Prevents participation altogether

Persistent symptoms may suggest more than simple overuse.

Staying Active Shouldn’t Mean Living With Pain

The goal is not avoiding activity—it is finding ways to stay active safely.

At iSCORE, Dr. Maxim Moradian and the team provide personalized evaluations and advanced treatment options for sports injuries, chronic pain, and spine-related conditions to help patients stay active throughout the year.

If back pain is keeping you off the court, course, or field, contact iSCORE at (818) 338-6860 or (626) 460-1096 to learn more about your treatment options and schedule an evaluation with a spine specialist.