Page 65 - Tennis Magazine April 2019
P. 65
allows us to escape from the real This information probably won’t Among potential older recruits,
competition we face in our day-to- come as a surprise to longtime play- though, tennis has a new rival:
day lives. ers. Calling tennis “the sport for a pickleball. A cross between tennis
“For both mental and physi- lifetime” isn’t just a promotional slo- and ping-pong, played with a wiffle
cal well-being and longevity, we’re gan: there are very few other activi- ball and a paddle, the game has
understanding that our social con- ties, let alone physically challenging enjoyed a 64 percent increase in
nections are probably the single- activities, that have regular national participation since 2010.
most important feature of living a and international tournaments for The name may sound funny, but
long, healthy, happy life,” Dr. James people in their 80s and 90s. But can pickleball has an obvious appeal to
O’Keefe, a cardiologist at St. Luke’s health and longevity be used as a an aging population: players don’t
Mid America Hospital in St. Louis, selling point to bring in new players? have to cover as much ground as
and one of the Denmark study’s “What we’ve seen recently are they do in tennis, and its focus on
co-authors, told Time last fall. “If people who went away from the doubles means it’s a naturally social
you’re interested in exercising for game, maybe in their 20s when they activity. The combination has helped
health and longevity and well-being, were starting families, who have make it the sport of choice among
perhaps the most important feature come back to it in their 40s and many retirement communities
of your exercise regimen is that it 50s,” Kamperman says. “That’s when around the country.
should involve a play date.” people look for a healthy activity they Rather than a threat, though,
“Any exercise is better than none,” can continue to do, and is where Kamperman sees pickleball’s rise as
O’Keefe said, “...but when our physi- these longevity studies are a strong an opportunity.
cal activity also allows us to play, it selling point. Tennis gives us a game “People who play pickleball have
basically magnifies the benefits.” to play, and a community to join.” learned to love a racquet sport,”
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