Lacrosse and Pacemakers: A Long Throw
Lacrosse is one of the oldest and most popular sports in North America. The article, Physiological Profile of Womenʼs Lacrosse Players by Emily Enemark-Miller, Jeff Seegmiller, and Sharon Rana describes the sport as, “Lacrosse, considered to be America's first sport, was born of the North American Indian, christened by the French, and adopted and raised by the Canadians (11). An exhilarating mixture of basketball, soccer, and hockey, this sport demands coordination, agility, and speed of its players. Lacrosse is characterized by quick transitions, continuous activity, and bursts of high-intensity sprints. It has been described as the fastest game on two feet and is one of the most strenuous team sports for women. Game play consists of long sprints up and down the field with abrupt starts and stops as well as precision passes and dodges, which is physically demanding for both the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems” (Enemark-Miller, Seegmiller and Rana, 2009). However, this leads to an interesting question as to just how challenging the sport is for the cardiovascular system, and does this also potentially benefit or endanger those with pacemakers?
But let’s investigate this further.
Lacrosse is considered to promote a generally healthy lifestyle. The website, Unlocking the Benefits of Lacrosse: Why to Take Up the Sport acknowledges how, “lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing team sports in the United States. Total U.S. participation rose from under 1 million people in 2006 to over 2 million by 2014. The sport is popular among everyone; participation in boys’ and girls’ high school lacrosse has grown over the past decade. ‘It’s becoming more popular,’ says Jonathan Hughes, MD, orthopedic surgeon, UPMC Sports Medicine. ‘Most high schools now have it. I think going forward, we’re going to start seeing not only club teams, but even recreational leagues for lacrosse’” (UPMC HealthBeat, 2024). So there are several social and physical benefits that have helped increase its popularity.
Plus, it is considered a very helpful sport for maintaining one’s cardiovascular health. My research in scholarly articles came up relatively dry on the cardiovascular benefits of lacrosse. However, other sources sang its praises. For example, HGR Lacrosse's website specifically highlights its cardiovascular benefits, noting that “just like soccer and basketball, lacrosse is a sport that demands speed, agility, and endurance. Whether you’re sprinting across the field, dodging defenders, or chasing after the ball, you’re getting an excellent cardiovascular workout. Playing lacrosse regularly can help improve heart health, increase lung capacity, and boost overall stamina” (HGR Lacrosse, 2023). However, this does not mean that lacrosse is the safest of all sports that benefit the heart.
Even with healthy hearts, sometimes there are casualties when playing lacrosse. The article, Commotio Cordis and the Epidemiology of Sudden Death in Competitive Lacrosse by Maron et al. identified twenty-three sudden deaths or cardiac arrests in high school and college lacrosse participants between 1980 and 2008 (Maron, MD. et al., 2009). As a result, the conclusion of this article states that “sudden deaths in competitive lacrosse participants are rare and no more common than in most other sports. These catastrophic events were caused disproportionately by commotio cordis and included athletes wearing chest barriers, thereby underscoring the importance of developing effective chest protection to create a safer athletic environment for our youth,” (Maron, MD. et al., 2009). So, while it is generally considered safe and healthy, the sport still carries risks, even for young players with healthy hearts.
This is because, according to the article, the Activity Profile of International Female Lacrosse Players by Hauer et al., players, depending on the zone they play, function at very high heart rates, which, theoretically, could be dangerous if pushed too far for too long. I don’t mean to be an alarmist or to discourage anyone from partaking in this sport. However, I do wish to encourage caution and discussion with one’s doctor/cardiologist before running out onto the field if you have cardiac concerns.
Now, with this in mind, should you hesitate to play if you have a pacemaker?
Well, what first comes to mind is the ball. A small, flying, notoriously firm sphere that is hurled through the air and hopefully caught in a small net at the top of a stick by the designated player. A skill if ever there was one. This alone, in my opinion, raises concerns about the protection of the chest and the pacemaker site; an impact like that if the ball were to miss could not only injure the surrounding tissue but also damage the device itself.
Thus, in my opinion, it makes sense to wear extra padding to cover one’s chest. Pacemakers are usually either implanted underneath the skin below the collarbone or, more safely, tucked beneath the armpit. Personally, mine is located in the latter spot. As I understand it, this site is especially common among young people with pacemakers, who are also the age group most likely to play lacrosse. However, while this site provides a little more safety, it does not make one immune to dislodgement or injury.
So, although I have never played lacrosse, I have a few recommendations. If you want to play lacrosse with a pacemaker and/or CVD, it is absolutely essential to inform your doctor beforehand. They need to know and can provide personalized advice based on your own case and circumstances. Next, I suggest you wear extra padding over your chest, especially at the device site. This will serve to protect the site and give you more peace of mind. I also think that it is wise not to play lacrosse professionally. It pains me to say it, but with the concerns of heart rates causing sudden cardiac events in people with normally functioning hearts playing the game, if one has a heart problem, it is best to be cautious for the sake of your own health. However, if one plays for fun with friends in the park, they can rest as needed while enjoying the sport's social and physical benefits without needlessly endangering themselves.
Research shows it provides social and physical benefits and, for this reason, is increasing in popularity. It is beneficial for the cardiovascular system, but can also be dangerous, especially to someone with a pacemaker. However, by taking precautions and keeping their doctor informed, one can easily partake in the game. So, if you are up to it and get the green light, have a blast this summer and head out to the lacrosse field for some heart-healthy fun!
What do you think? Did you find this helpful? Have you ever played lacrosse?
Comment below.
Tune in next Monday and Friday for more! I will be writing more now that I’m finally feeling better, so I’m getting a new, more frequent schedule.
Keep ticking, everybody!
P.S. Are there any aspects of CVD health or pacemakers you’d like to know more about?
Feel free to email me at:
blairmueller28@gmail.com
Reference List
Enemark-Miller, E.A., Seegmiller, J.G. and Rana, S.R. (2009). Physiological Profile of Womenʼs Lacrosse Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(1), pp.39–43. doi:https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e318185f07c.
Hauer, R., Tessitore, A., Hauer, K. and Tschan, H. (2019). Activity Profile of International Female Lacrosse Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, p.1. doi:https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000003253.
HGR Lacrosse. (2023). 10 Reasons Why Lacrosse is a Must-Try Sport. [online] Available at: https://hgrlacrosse.com/10-reasons-why-lacrosse-is-a-must-try-sport/.
Maron, MD., B.J., Doerer, BS., J.J., Haas, RN., T.S., Estes, MD, M., Hodges, PhD, J. and Link, MD., M.S. (2009). Commotio Cordis and the Epidemiology of Sudden Death in Competitive Lacrosse. Academic Journal of Pediatrics . [online] Available at: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/124/3/966/71816/Commotio-Cordis-and-the-Epidemiology-of-Sudden.
UPMC HealthBeat. (2024). Unlocking the Benefits of Lacrosse: Why to Take Up the Sport. [online] Available at: https://share.upmc.com/2024/06/benefits-of-lacrosse/.
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