[4 min read]
In this article:
- Ultimate Frisbee is a pro sport that demands high levels of physical strength, endurance and hand-eye coordination.
- Team USA is among the world's best squads and recently played in the World Championships in Portugal, accompanied by Swedish sports medicine doctor Alexander Lloyd, M.D., who serves as a team physician.
- Learn more about the sport, how it challenges these fine-tuned athletes, and ways you can tweak your own workout to train like the pros.
When Team USA’s beach ultimate frisbee teams traveled to Portugal for the World Championships, a dedicated medical team was there alongside them to keep athletes healthy and competing at their best.
Among them was Providence Swedish sports medicine physician Alexander Lloyd, M.D., who served as team physician for the tournament. Working alongside a team of five athletic trainers, he helped care for 180 athletes across multiple age groups. Team USA had a strong showing, bringing home several gold medals while staying relatively healthy throughout the tournament with only a handful of minor injuries.
We spoke with Dr. Lloyd (shown in photo at right) about what makes ultimate frisbee such a demanding sport, the types of injuries athletes face, and what everyday athletes can learn from the pros.
What makes ultimate frisbee such a demanding sport?
Ultimate requires explosive speed, endurance and precise throwing while being closely defended. At the highest level, players combine strong hand-eye coordination, upper body strength and a powerful core to support the rotational movement of throwing.
What injuries were most common during the tournament?
Because beach ultimate is played on sand, we saw fewer cuts and bruises. However, most athletes play barefoot or in special sand socks, which means their feet are put under a lot of pressure when they are running and sprinting in the sand. We had a lot of strains of foot muscles and tendons and sprained toes. There were also few cuts from objects buried in the sand.
What role do you play during the world championship?
As the team physician, I help prepare athletes for travel, review medical information, coordinate with athletic trainers and tournament medical staff, and provide care throughout the competition. During the tournament, I circulated between games for about 12 hours a day making sure all the trainers and athletes had everything they needed. This year, I was responsible for the care of 180 athletes.
What can recreational athletes learn from elite ultimate players?
Consistency and intentional practice are key. Elite athletes set goals for their workouts and show up consistently to prepare for competition. Ultimate is also a team sport, and the most successful teams are often the ones that communicate best. High-level players review each play with their teammates after every point to understand what went wrong and what went right. They develop a plan and apply those adjustments the next time around. The ability to both give and receive feedback is key to improving team performance and competing at a high level.
Is ultimate frisbee a good workout for everyday people?
Ultimate is a full-body workout that builds strength, endurance and hand-eye coordination. It is also a fun, social way to stay active.
How does caring for younger athletes differ?
I will be serving as a team physician for the Under-20 Ultimate Frisbee World Championships in Spain this July, following a training camp in New York. Younger athletes are generally healthy but may need more guidance and psychological support if they experience their first significant injury.
How did you become involved in the U.S. ultimate team?
I was introduced to USA Ultimate through my colleague Dr. Leslie Yen, who has been involved with the organization for many years and is an ultimate player herself. USA Ultimate was looking to bring on new physicians to help cover events, and I had the opportunity to join the medical team.
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)
If you are struggling with a sports injury, or joint or musculoskeletal pain, the experts Swedish Orthopedic Institute can help. Our experienced surgeons offer the latest options in surgical and non-surgical care to help restore your comfort, mobility and confidence in every step. To learn more, make an appointment at our First Hill orthopedic clinic call 206-386-6171.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options at Providence Swedish. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider. You can also connect virtually with your provider to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections, and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.
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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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