With over 200 tenpin bowling centres now open across the UK, the sport is enjoying a remarkable renaissance, and many companies are now using bowling alleys as a new way to entertain clients.
The industry is growing each year, and more and more people are enjoying the sport.
Game
As with any sport, injuries can occur and bowling does have its problems. The object of the game is to roll a bowling ball along a wooden lane, towards the ten pins which are positioned at the end. The player who knocks down the most pins is the winner. Finger holes are drilled into a standard bowling ball, and balls vary in weight depending on the age of the player. The heavier the ball, the more pins will generally get knocked down. When choosing a ball, you should consider that the ball should not exceed 10% of your body weight. 16 pounds is the maximum weight for any bowler. This is where the injury can occur.
Wrist
If you bowl regularly, you could be prone to problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or repetitive motion injuries. When playing a sport that requires you to perform the same motion over and over again, these injuries can easily happen. Wearing a wrist support would be beneficial to everyone, especially women and children, who have weaker wrists than men. The bowling wrist support will prevent the back of the bowling hand from collapsing prior to releasing the ball. The purpose of the device is to limit the tilting movement. To get an effective delivery motion, you need to get your thumb out of the ball quickly and in unison with the sliding bowling shoe. Without a wrist support, your wrist could hinge back before the release and cause the finger to exit the ball at the same time as the thumb. This causes the ball to have no power to travel down the lane.
Bowling wrist supports (http://www.petesproshop.co.uk/acatalog/wrist-supports.htm) are available in adjustable and non-adjustable formats and they also come with wrist liners. You can find them in sports shops, together with gloves and other bowling products.
If you are unsure whether you need a support, ask your GP. If you have any repeated pain, it would suggest that a support would be useful. It’s better to be safe than sorry.