Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are now a thing if the past. Replaced by repetitive compound injury (RCI)! Any action that is repeated ina similar manner will inevitably put added strain on certain areas of the body. Looking at snooker players, the obvious areas of stress are the hips, back , elbows, shoulders and neck. This doesn't leave much of the body not under strain. Without conditioning for the sport it would be expected that back pain, neck pain and headaches would more than likely be greater in those participating than in the population in general.
The number one area under biomechanical strain would have to be the neck. Prolonged periods with the neck in extension (essentially looking upwards) will impact on the (facet) joints causing irritation. This in turn could lead to a higher incidence of both neck and shoulder pain. Former top-professional , Martin Clark had his career cut short as a result of a neck injury.
"On average players will walk in excess of 1km every two frames"
The low back too is put under increased strain. For every inch of lumbar flexion (leaning forward) the muscles in the lumbar spine (low back) have to work twice as hard to counter this. This puts both an increased strain on the joints of the low back and indeed the lumbar vertibral discs and muscles. This in turn you would expect to lead to a higher incidence of pain in the low back.
However, we must not look at the above in isolation. On the flip side of the coin, on average players will walk in excess of 1km every two frames played, excellent for the general mobility, when broken up by the rigours of playing shots. The action of bending forwards to play these shots repetitively in a well prepared individual can actually assist in helping to keep the spine mobile and supple. Much more so than lying on the sofa watching television ever would.
"Snooker can significantly help in keeping the joints moving through their active ranges"
For more sedentary individuals, playing snooker may be not only their pastime but their only form of exercise too! While form a cardiovascular perspective the benefit would be largely negligible, form a biomechanical one it could be more significantly helpful in keeping the joints of the body moving through their active ranges of motion. Promoting the mobility of the joints might be more beneficial to senior players than youths.
Sport by its very definition actively promotes health. Sport too can lead to injury. From both aspects, Snooker may be viewed to have affect: Health promotion - being out of the house, increased mobility, and social benefits. Because the physical demands in snooker at recreational level are not huge a few simple stretches should prevent potential for injury, making it a very positive activity.
For the more enthusiastic player, doing stretches would be seen as a must in preparation of play. Having treated many professional athletes I have seen how injury will affect performance whatever the sport. Advice for back pain sufferers would be to partake in some core stability training devised by a personal trainer or attending Pilate's classes that are excellent too. If injury or pain still persists, consult a chirppracter, osteopath or physiotherapist who specialise in sports injuries and they should be able to put you on the road to recovery.
