Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition caused by overusing the forearm muscles, leading to pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow. This can happen to anyone who repeatedly uses their wrist and arm, not just tennis players. While changing your racket won’t cure tennis elbow, it is a good preventive measure. People often ask, “Can you play tennis with tennis elbow?” The answer is yes! In this article, we will suggest the types of rackets that help prevent tennis elbow and provide our top recommendations, so be sure to read the entire piece!
What type of Rackets cause tennis elbow?
There are many features in a racket that might cause tennis elbow, and even your own playstyle can sometimes be responsible. Today, however, we will only be discussing the features of rackets that contribute to this condition. We will start by examining the weight of the racket.
Weight
Light tennis rackets are one of the main reasons of tennis elbow because they absorb less shock, transferring more impact to the arm. However, using a racket that is too heavy can lead to other issues, such as increased fatigue and difficulty in maneuvering the racket. So, what is the ideal tennis racket weight for preventing tennis elbow? Generally, a racket weighing between 9.7 to 10.5 ounces is recommended, as this range offers a good balance between shock absorption and ease of use.
Stiffness
A stiffer racket passes most of the shock to your arm instead of absorbing it, resulting in strain being transferred to your arm. This increased strain can lead to the development of tennis elbow, as the tendons and muscles are subjected to repetitive stress. Additionally, stiffer rackets provide less give during ball impact, which can exacerbate the strain on the elbow and forearm. Therefore, it is ideal to use a flexible tennis racket with a stiffness rating all the way down to the 50s, as these rackets absorb more shock and reduce the risk of injury.
Head Size
A smaller head size in a tennis racket can be more harmful for tennis elbow because it typically has a smaller sweet spot. This increases the likelihood of off-center shots, which can transmit more vibration and shock to the arms during play. To minimize the risk of tennis elbow, it is recommended to use a racket with a mid-plus or oversized head size. These sizes provide a larger sweet spot, reducing vibration and enhancing comfort during play.
Other Reasons
A head-heavy racket can contribute to tennis elbow because its weight is concentrated towards the head. Rackets with aluminum construction frames, while cost-effective, tend to pass more shock to the arm upon impact. This increased transmission of vibration can strain the tendons and muscles around the elbow joint, making players more susceptible to developing tennis elbow. Opting for rackets with advanced materials or technologies that dampen vibrations can help mitigate this risk.
Our Recommendations
Now that you have a greater understanding of the type of racket you would need to prevent tennis elbow, here are some of our recommendations in no particular order.
Head 2023 Gravity Team Tennis Racquet
SPECS
Weight – 10.1 oz
Head Size – 104 sq in
Balance – 0.7 in HL
String Pattern – 16×20
Yonex Ezone 98 tour
SPECS
Weight – 11.1 oz
Head Size – 98 sq in
Length – 27 in
String Pattern – 16×19
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