Playing grassroots sports - Part 1: When invitations become a 'double-edged sword'

Mass sports activities are spreading strongly, becoming a positive habit of urban people. However, behind the spirit of "for health" are many stories worth pondering: practicing the wrong way, lack of knowledge, playing according to the invitation, sometimes making "sports medicine" become a danger to the players themselves.

Jogging is a sport chosen by many people because it is easy to do, but it has many potential risks of injury.

Lesson 1: When an invitation becomes a “double-edged sword”

Mass sports help improve physical fitness and connect the community, but when exercise is dominated by the "keep up with friends" mentality, many people have paid the price with injuries and unforgettable health lessons.

When invitation becomes pressure

On weekend afternoons, the riverside park in Ho Chi Minh City is bustling with the sound of running shoes, the sound of hitting balls, and laughter. Sports have become a familiar rhythm of urban life. From apartment buildings, offices, to coffee shops, everywhere there are groups of people practicing together, participating in amateur tournaments or online challenges.

However, not everyone comes to sports with initiative or understanding. Mr. Thanh Lam (26 years old, Thu Duc ward) recounted a near-dangerous experience in a long-distance race: “When there were a few hundred meters left to the finish line, I had a sharp pain in my abdomen and could not breathe. If I had tried any longer, I would have fainted. But around me, many people were still running to 'check-in' in time to keep up with their friends.”

Lam’s story is not uncommon. In the age of social networks, grassroots sports are not only a training activity, but also closely linked to the trend of “living healthy - living beautifully”. Each training session, each race, each “finish line” photo becomes an achievement to share. That excitement helps spread the spirit of movement, but also creates an “invisible pressure” that makes many people try to exceed their limits just to avoid falling behind.

According to observations of grassroots sports coaches, the “keep up with friends” mentality is popular in the office world. Many people start playing sports not because they like it but because “everyone is doing it”. When the movement becomes a trend, the goal of “training for health” is easily replaced by “personal achievements”.

The sport movement is growing in Vietnam.

Mr. Tien Dat (25 years old, Binh Thanh ward) is an example. He came to pickleball only because his colleagues invited him. From “playing for fun”, he quickly practiced 6 sessions per week. Once, while saving the ball, he dislocated his neck and had to take a week off work. “At first, I thought it was just a slight fatigue, but then I had to take a long break. Now I still love it, but I understand that I need to control my practice rhythm,” Mr. Dat said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Tu Quyen (50 years old, Xuan Hoa ward), who has been running and climbing for more than 10 years, chose a different approach: “I don’t set goals according to others. When I’m tired, I rest. Sports are for health, not to prove myself.”

Quyen’s story has received a lot of sympathy from the running community. On running forums, many people admit that they were “greedy for achievements” leading to muscle pain, tendon strain, and even hospitalization. Some people jokingly call this phenomenon “sports FOMO syndrome”, the fear of being left behind if not joining the group.

Coach Nguyen Tuan Khoa, who has many years of experience in guiding the running movement in Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “The worrying thing is that beginners often run based on emotions, not following a training plan. They think the more they practice, the better, while the body needs time to adapt. That is the reason why many injuries appear in even young and healthy people.”

According to Dr. Phan Vuong Huy Dong, Chairman of the Vietnam Sports Medicine Association, the group of amateur players is the "hot spot" of sports injuries: "They often practice irregularly, spend a long time and then exercise at high intensity. Not warming up properly and not having regular health check-ups are common causes of injuries and strokes," Dr. Dong said.

People when playing pickleball need to have the right technique and learn carefully before playing.

Many sports medicine experts believe that the culture of mass sports in Vietnam is developing faster than the safety awareness of players. The spirit of exchange and competition is positive, but when lacking basic knowledge, players can easily trade off their health just to complete a challenge or get a nice “check-in” photo.

Booming movement – ​​increasing injuries

Notably, in recent years, new sports such as pickleball have become a “fever” in the office world. From a few thousand players, it is now estimated that there are more than 30,000 participants nationwide, leading to the opening of hundreds of new courts. Along with that spread, injuries have also increased rapidly.

In April 2025, model Ky Han, wife of soccer player Mac Hong Quan, broke her leg while playing pickleball in Ho Chi Minh City. Before that, at Cau Giay Stadium ( Hanoi ), a 55-year-old man had a stroke after only 20 minutes of playing. The two incidents caused a stir in the pickleball community, forcing many clubs to tighten their warm-up procedures.

Playing any sport requires proper warm-up, rest and listening to the body to ensure the safety of the player.

Dr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, Orthopedic Trauma Specialist, said that the hospital is receiving more and more pickleball injury cases, from mild sprains to torn ligaments and torn Achilles tendons. “The common points are the desire for the ball, hasty movements, and lack of technique. Pickleball is not a gentle sport as many people think, it requires quick reflexes and jumping power, so if you do not warm up properly, the risk is very high,” said Dr. Xuan Anh.

Dr. Vo Hoa Khanh, Head of Quality Management Department, Ho Chi Minh City Orthopedic Hospital also acknowledged: "Many people choose hard-surfaced fields and dive to save the ball, increasing the risk of injury. Especially for people with underlying cardiovascular disease, sudden movements can easily lead to dangerous incidents."

Not only pickleball, popular sports such as soccer, running, long-distance cycling also recorded many cases of musculoskeletal injuries. Some people consider it a “small matter”, rub oil on themselves and continue practicing, unintentionally causing cumulative damage.

According to doctors, the underlying cause is not only technique but also a lack of understanding of one’s own limits. In a society that promotes a dynamic image, the spirit of “conquest” makes many people equate health with achievement. “Collapse on the track” is sometimes seen as evidence of a strong spirit, a dangerous concept. Dr. Dong warns: “That is a wrong way of thinking. Sports is not a war but a journey with the body.”

Photo of Ky Han's broken bone (Photo: Hospital provided).

Mr. Doan Son, owner of SC Pickleball Tan Binh said: “Many people come to the field just with a racket and start playing, without warming up, without a coach to guide them. If the movement is to be sustainable, players must understand the techniques and respect their own limits.”

Dr. Le Van Thuong, Hoan My Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized: "Sports are only good when practiced correctly and with the right strength. If you follow the trend and forget your physical condition, the health benefits will no longer be meaningful."

Mass sports are a good sign of a dynamic society, but for this movement to be truly healthy, players need knowledge, technique and alertness. Because the "invitation" can start with joy, but without understanding it can also end with an injury - both physical and cognitive.

Last article: 'Precious medicine' needs to be used in the right dose

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/choi-the-thao-phong-trao-bai-1-khi-loi-moi-tro-thanh-con-dao-hai-luoi-20251010093147024.htm