Preventing Injury

Andrew Pape Asked 12 years ago

Hi Alois,

I had to give up Table Tennis for a year due to RSI. No more worries until 2 days ago. I had a hit on my robot, just trying some forehands. I immediately felt my arm was dead. This symptom was the start of the old injury in 2008. I am desperate not to let that happen again.

In comp, I got an easy smash. But when I lifted the bat, I played a bad shot, with the ball going nowhere near the table. After playing the night, my arm was throbbing. My GP told me that I haven't yet injured myself chronically. I'll still need a break for some weeks.

Am I playing too much TT? I feel at my age that I should be able to play comp every day of the week, if I wanted to. Serious players are playing 2 or 3 times longer a week than me and I'm sure to be stronger than all the top juniors. The GP has given me basic weight exercises to do.

I think the reason for RSI may be poor f/hand technique. I think I've been trying to swing my arm too quickly and not use the legs and waist to naturally accelerate. I think if I got down down lower maybe my body would do more work, taking stress off the shoulder?

My practice partner agreed that my problem could be related to technique, as his tennis elbow was caused by bad technique.

I've found myself doing more f/hands recently, improving them, and having no discomfort. I've been working more on consistency rather than force. So the injury seems odd. Plus the night before I was playing well with no sign of injury.

Do you think the injury is related to bad technique?

Should I be doing strengthening (with weights) even when well (to prevent further injury), or could I prevent the problem by fixing technique? My f/hand isn't my natural shot. If I'm relying on the arm too much, this is because I have trouble getting the whole body into the shot. This could be from being a cellar player for too long.

Help appreciated.

Cheers,

Andrew.

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Andrew,

It may well be technique issues.  I would go and see a Physiotherapist who may be able to help you to work out what is causing the problem.  You may need to show them your technique and when it is hurting.

I think they will get you to do some strengthening of the problem areas.