We’re days from the NFL Super Bowl, the peak of fandom for football followers. Its recreational, low-contact counterpart, flag football, is enjoying a resurgence, too. Across the Pacific Northwest, adults and kids are playing in leagues and pickup games.
The activity gets people outside and moving, boosting cardiovascular strength and muscle tone. Actions such as throwing and catching the ball and grabbing a runner's flag help build hand-eye coordination.
Lauren Paladino, a sports medicine doctor at UW Medicine, has seen the sport’s rebound over the past couple of years. She used to play, too, but now her connection to the game involves caring for patients with injuries.
“The most common injuries are still lower body injuries with knees. You can have meniscus tears if you're twisting or turning, some people with ACL tears of their knees,” she said.
“There's still risks involved if you're not strong enough or if you're not used to running. There still is a risk of getting hit and injured, because you're still sometimes having some contact.”
Despite the risks, Paladino focuses on flag football’s upsides, and expects more people to put on the flag belts and play. The sport fosters teamwork, coordination, and heart and muscle health. It’s also a fun way for people to stay active and engaged.
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