REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO: Pickleball has numerous health benefits, which is one of the main reasons for its skyrocketing popularity worldwide.
Pickleball has numerous health benefits, which is one of the main reasons for its skyrocketing popularity worldwide. Easy to access and affordable, the sport has become an instant hit among both the young and old - even those without polished skills.
Now, a study published on British Journal of Sports Medicine claims that playing pickleball regularly can be a game-changer - it significantly reduces the risk of early death and aids longevity.
It not only boosts energy but also reduces the risk of early death by nearly 50 per cent compared to non-players, the study claims. The sport offers significant cardiovascular benefits thanks to its fast-paced, low-impact nature, which elevates heart rate and improves circulation. As an aerobic exercise, it also enhances cognitive function, improves balance and coordination, and supports better mental well-being.
Playing pickleball regularly - which involves strategy, quick reactions, and sharp thinking - helps reduce stress and slows cognitive decline by nearly 30 per cent. The sport's social aspect - fun gameplay, interaction, and the opportunity to build friendships - has further fuelled its popularity, with the demand for courts rising every day.
The finding that pickleball may cut the risk of death in half is quite remarkable.
'Well-Rounded Movement'
Longevity expert Dan Buettner explains why playing pickleball, compared to other racquet sports like badminton and tennis, can lead to a healthier life.
“The sports that offer the most years are sports that involve a racket. Badminton, for example, adds about six years to your life expectancy, and tennis adds over nine years to your life expectancy,” he said in a report published on PPA Tour.
“But the sport that adds the most years to your life expectancy is pickleball. Why? Well, because it is a racket sport, and it is also easy to learn and consummately social. You cannot help but meet people when you get on the pickleball court. It is regular. It is something you can do every day. It is something that is available to just about anybody for very cheap," said Buettner.
Heather Milton, a clinical exercise physiologist at NYU Langone Health's Sports Performance Centre, explained why pickleball has more health benefits than traditional forms of physical activity like running or walking.
“When you get on an elliptical or a treadmill, you are moving forward the whole time,” she said. “Pickleball gives you a much more well-rounded movement pattern because you are moving in multiple planes of motion and in different directions. It contributes to improving your agility, your muscular endurance, as well as hand-eye coordination.”
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