Pickleball on Ozempic: Strength, Falls and Fueling

Pickleball has become one of the most popular ways for adults, particularly those over 50, to stay active. Morning open play turns into lunch with the group, weekend tournaments run all day, and plenty of players are on the court four or five times a week.

Many players take Ozempic or another GLP-1, and many find that losing weight makes them quicker around the court and easier on their knees. To keep that going, three things matter: protecting your strength, avoiding falls, and fueling for long sessions.

What the label says about older adults

The prescribing information for Wegovy, which contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic, at a higher dose, includes a section on older adults.

It notes that no overall difference in effectiveness was observed between people aged 65 and older and younger adults.

It also notes that in the cardiovascular outcomes trial, patients aged 75 and older reported more hip and pelvis fractures on the medication than on placebo, and that patients in that age group reported more serious adverse reactions overall than younger adults.

Not every pickleball player is 75, and a finding in a trial population is not a prediction about any one person. But it is a good reason to take two things seriously whatever your age: protecting your strength and avoiding falls. Both matter on a pickleball court.

Falls on the court

Pickleball looks gentle, but it involves quick lateral moves, sudden stops, and reaching. Many falls happen when players backpedal to chase a lob, catch a heel, and go over backwards.

Do not backpedal for lobs. Turn and run back, or let it go. This is one of the most common pieces of advice from coaches for good reason.

Wear court shoes with good lateral support, not running shoes.

Warm up properly before you play.

Know your limits on hot days or after a long session, when tiredness makes falls more likely.

Dizziness and eating enough

Dizziness is among the reported side effects of these medications, and it is more likely if you have eaten or drunk little. Lightheadedness on a court, especially when moving quickly, is exactly what you want to avoid.

Eat something before you play, even if you are not hungry. A morning session on coffee alone is a common mistake.

Bring water and drink between games.

Bring a snack for longer sessions or tournaments.

Sit out a game if you feel dizzy, shaky, or unusually tired, and eat and drink something.

Stand up slowly after sitting between games.

Protect your strength

When people lose weight, some of what they lose is muscle. On a court, muscle is what gives you quick feet, balance, and the ability to catch yourself if you stumble.

Eat protein at every meal, even when your appetite is small.

Add some strength training. Leg strength and balance work in particular, such as squats, step-ups, lunges, and single-leg balance, support the movements pickleball demands. A physical therapist or trainer experienced with older adults can tailor a plan.

Track strength, not only weight. If you feel slower or weaker on court rather than quicker, tell your provider. Our guide on getting the most out of your GLP-1 treatment covers why protein and resistance exercise matter so much.

Tournaments

Tournament days can run from early morning to late afternoon, with long waits between matches, often outdoors in the sun.

Eat breakfast with protein before you arrive.

Pack food you tolerate for between matches: sandwiches, nuts, cheese, fruit, protein bars.

Eat small amounts regularly rather than waiting until you are hungry.

Drink water steadily and use shade between matches.

Lunch with the group

Open play often finishes with lunch together. That is part of the fun. Order something with protein, eat what you want, and take the rest home. Our guide on the Ozempic starting dose covers why the early weeks on treatment, when appetite changes are strongest, are the time to be most careful about eating enough.

Plan your dose around your playing schedule

Side effects are usually worst in the day or two after an injection and after a dose increase.

If you play on set days, ask your provider whether your injection day can be arranged so the hardest days fall when you are not playing.

Do not step up your dose right before a tournament. Ask your provider to hold. Our guide on dose escalation covers how the steps usually work, and our guide on the semaglutide starting dose covers the early weeks.

Other medications

Many pickleball players take other medications, including for blood pressure or diabetes. As you lose weight, some of those may need adjusting, and some combinations can make dizziness more likely. Make sure your provider knows everything you take.

Consider this scenario: a 70-year-old player on Ozempic heads to morning open play after just a coffee, plays two hours in the sun, and drinks little water. Late in the session they backpedal for a lob, feel lightheaded, and fall. A proper breakfast, water between games, turning to run for lobs rather than backpedaling, and sitting out when tired would have addressed most of what went wrong.

The short version

Do not backpedal for lobs, wear court shoes, and warm up. Eat before you play, drink between games, bring snacks for long sessions, and sit out if you feel dizzy. Protect your strength with protein at every meal and leg and balance work. Plan your injection day around your playing schedule and hold dose increases before tournaments. Make sure your provider knows every medication you take.

If you want a provider who will plan your treatment around the activities you love, TrimRx includes ongoing provider access alongside treatment.

This information is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Consult with a healthcare provider before starting any medication. Individual results may vary.