Preventing injuries, your tips and ideas.

[Zothen]

Here is a list of bowling injuries that all bowlers including pros suffer from: Back & hips,knees,shoulders,wrist.

The back is the biggest issue as you are constanly twisting & bending to a degree,which puts stress on the low back and hip flexor. Your knees take abuse as your constantly bending the knees and sometimes you miss step and plant to hard. Your shoulder joint,muscles & tendons take abuse if you have a large backswing(Rick Steelsmith & Mike Fagan)and finally your wrist takes abuse from constantly holding a 15lbs ball in a cup postion.

How do we prevent injuries? Excersize is key! Strong core helps back and yoga helps flexability. Simple streatches before bowling helps loosen joints & muscles and after bowling helps cool down joints & muscles. Wrist braces help prevent wrist injuries or use a glove with a wrist stabalizer. A lower armswing helps prevent shoulder strain.

Zothen

[Greenday]

Most of my injuries is basically just tearing of skin on my fingers. Mostly my thumb, occasionally below the nail of my ring finger.

I did get a tumor in my thumb which I suspect was a result of bowling. The thumb basically protecting the nerve from damage.

[Rdmonster]

I had a numb thumb for a month or so....most likely due to improper form. It's much better now. I also have a bad left knee from years of golfing. I am now experiencing some wrist soreness...most likely from over use.

[J Anderson]

One of the most common injuries is the blister. I think that it is or was so common that many experienced bowlers think the blisters on their thumbs are part of the sport, like ringing 10pins and tripped 4pins. It really is an injury and is almost always caused by a poorly fitted ball.

Less common are injuries from the ball return, falling, and most rarely getting tangled with another bowler when proper lane courtesy isn't used. As for the ball return, the safest way to pick up the ball is with two hands, from the sides of the ball so that even if you're not paying attention your fingers can't get hit by a returning ball. Falls are usually cause by the approach being too sticky or too slippery. Its always a good idea to check the slide before committing to the first throw on a lane or after visiting the snack bar.

In general injuries can be caused by:
Poor fitting equipment
Not paying attention.
Lack of physical conditioning
Poor technique.

Injuries can be prevented by:
Having properly fitted bowling equipment
Situational awareness, Like checking to see if your shoe will slide
Keeping fit with emphasis on core strengthening and flexibility
Proper bowling technique.

[ArtVandelay]

Yeah.... Aside from those injuries already named, id guess the only other injuries occur if you cross the foul line. Hahahah

So, stretch well, and dont step over the line!

[Tampabaybob]

John, great answer. Think we need to start calling you Doctor John !!

[J Anderson]

John, great answer. Think we need to start calling you Doctor John !!

Too bad I faint at the sight of any blood that's not mine!

[GeoLes]

Sliding leg muscle tone is my issue. I am a stiff old man and must continually stretch to stay limber in final position. I spend a good amount of time working quads, hamstrings, glutes, abductors and adductors especially the left side. I can feel the difference when I have not stretched for a while. It's a challenge to get a low release.

[billf]

I am a stiff old man

Have you tried laying off the Cialis?? Just kidding. A good stretching program is good for all ages but you definitely notice it more as your body gets older.

[swingset]

Extreme movements, done enough, guarantee injury. It all starts and ends there.

If you have an unnaturally energetic release or approach, and you bowl long enough, you'll suffer for it. Somehow. When and how depends on your genetics, your build, your technique and your fitness (as well as your age).

The best way to avoid injuries is to adopt a more smooth, natural release and stay fit. I've been through injuries from bowling (elbows and wrists), and what fixed them for me was changing my release from aggressive to more natural (which admittedly slowed down my revs and hook), and getting my forearm and elbow stronger through fitness. I also make sure that my core and legs are in good shape so that knee, hip and muscle issues are not a problem. Staying limber is also paramount, stretching and even yoga can be a real benefit. Foam rollers are great for muscle release too.