Squash

Squash is a racket sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. It requires the speed and explosive force of tennis but with the flexibility and speed of badminton. The types of sports injuries among squash players are therefore very much like those experienced by tennis and badminton players.

Quadriceps tendon rupture
Squash is highly demanding on the lower limbs due to its fast pace and confined space. Players must constantly run, jump and make abrupt stops, which places significant stress on the knees and increases the risk of strains. The quadriceps muscle, which stabilises the knee and enables sudden stops, is frequently stressed. During play, it often contracts while lengthened, especially when the knee is bent during quick turns, resulting in eccentric contractions that are particularly strenuous.

Without proper cool-down routines, players may develop quadriceps tendonitis or patellar tendonitis, commonly known as jumper’s knee, which causes pain and swelling around the knee. Among middle-aged players, tendinopathy is common, and in severe cases, a violent muscle contraction during play can lead to quadriceps tendon rupture.

Elbow injury
Tennis elbow is common in squash as it also requires frequent use of the forearm muscles.

Eye injury
The limited space of a squash court and the high speed of the ball make squash players vulnerable to sports injuries. If your eye is hit by a high speed squash ball, a retinal or lens detachment may occur. If severe haemorrhaging in the eye occurs, it could affect your vision and even lead to blindness. Glaucoma may develop later if there is an increase in intraocular pressure due to the accident.