(jo Crebbin / Shutterstock.com)
When you think about popular sports in the US, it’s usually baseball, football, or basketball that comes to mind. Pickleball may not even be on your radar. This sport that is only fifty years old has taken the country by storm.
Pickleball is a hybrid sport, a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, that’s played on a court that’s about half the size of a tennis court, according to US News. The waffle ball used is lighter than a tennis ball and the paddle is similar to the one used in ping-pong. Pickleball can be played indoors or out.
It’s easy to play and appeals to people of all ages, especially seniors. There were close to 5 million players in 2021, according to a report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Pickleball is now the fastest growing sport in the US.
“I teach 7-year-olds and 78-year-olds who all walk off the court with a massive smile on their face. Pickleball is a sport everyone enjoys,” Matt Manasse, a Los Angeles pickleball pro told US News. Others agree with him.
Ed Wertz, a frequent player and the co-founder of paddle maker Vantaze Pickleball said “Though people of a variety of ages are spectators of many sports, I've never seen a sport with such mass appeal to players crossing over all age groups the way pickleball does.” There’re very good reasons why. Here are five health benefits of playing this immensely popular sport.
Gives your body a full workout
While pickleball is fun to play, and despite its unusual equipment, the sport gives players a real workout, according to Everyday Health. In fact, pickleball is considered an aerobic exercise because it incorporates movement from your entire body and works on your lower body, core, hips, and even your upper body. Pickleball fits the bill towards the CDC’s recommendation for physical activity.
Helps cardiovascular health
Pickleball could improve your heart and lung health. A study published in the International Journal of research in Exercise Physiology set out to quantify the cardiovascular and metabolic effectiveness of playing pickleball. The study found that cardiovascular endurance improved in middle age and senior men. The participants also experienced a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure numbers.
Could improve mental health
Another benefit of pickleball is improved mental health, according to Health News. Just 30 minutes of exercise, three times a week, can help increase your energy, and may reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
The social aspects of playing pickleball can help reduce social isolation and loneliness. Isolation is one of the leading causes of depression in seniors. A 2018 study confirms that social leisure activities like pickleball are associated with a lower likelihood of depression.
Helps seniors stay active
It’s very important for seniors to stay physically active, for their physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why the sport is so popular with retirees, according to US News. “Pickleball is a sport that seniors can play with relative ease and find enjoyable, which is important as age and medical conditions may make some sports more difficult to continue as we get older,” Dr Edward Laskowski, a specialist in physical medicine, rehabilitation and sports medicine at the Mayo Clinic told US News.
Promotes Social interaction
Since pickleball is played in teams of two, there are always four people on the court. This allows a lot of socialization before, during, and after matches, according to Health News. This is very important for busy people who may not have time to exercise and engage in social activities. Pickleball is a great way to do both.
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