Why Tennis Is the World's Healthiest Sport
Many regard tennis as the "world's healthiest sport," for good reason. Besides building healthy bones, increasing flexibility and thinking and cognitive faculties, it has also been linked to a longer lifespan-than many other sports.
With the U.S. Open setting attendance records again, it seems pretty clear the magic of tennis remains strong. "Tennis presents an exhibition of the power, grace, intellect, wit, balance, speed, joy, sorrow, and sheer determination of human beings," says Brian Hainline, president of the United States Tennis Association. In addition to its gracefulness, tennis provides intensive mental and physical benefits.
Physical Benefits
Tennis is much more than just a workout; it is a full-body conditioning session. The sport routinely practiced lowers the risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease while improving coordination, endurance, and muscular strength. The fast-paced movements involved with the game- acceleration, braking, and changes of direction-works nearly every muscle, building lean muscle mass, flexibility, and agility. According to Dr. James Gladstone, a sports medicine specialist: "Tennis demands movement complexity in the muscles and quick reflexes, which fosters developing stronger muscles and bone resilience.".
Tennis is also beneficial to the heart. A body performance consultant named Rami Hashish described the integration of strong moves followed by brief rests of tennis as simulating the 'steady exercise benefits in circulation and heart health'. Based on frequent play, a person may lower his or her blood pressure and cholesterol levels, greatly reducing their chance of getting heart disease.
Secondly, a renowned 25-year Danish study showed tennis players live almost a decade longer. The outcome not only stems from the cardio-vascular and musculoskeletal benefits of tennis but it also uniquely points to social benefits, combating the still major determinant in overall longevity: social isolation.
Mental Health Benefits
Beside its physical benefits, tennis is also a mental powerhouse. According to kinesiologist Megan Holmes, the sport keeps the brain sharp by constant strategic thinking and decision-making which increase its cognitive abilities. It also promotes neuroplasticity and helps prevent age-related cognitive decline. In fact, it improves reaction times as well as visual tracking as tennis players often experience fewer feelings of stress and anxiety than non-players.
Getting into the Game of Tennis
For beginners, it can be as easy as getting the right equipment and learning a few basic techniques. "Rackets should come in good quality, supportive shoes, for comfort and injury prevention," says Rami Hashish, the town of Somers' physical therapist. "Finding a club or enrolling in lessons around town might help master the basics because one will get to improve safely.".
As tennis enthusiast Leslie Echols quips, "I learned to play tennis as a 40th birthday present to myself, and it has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life." Tennis is a sport for all seasons: the comfort it offers with any level of skill will benefit body, mind, and social life in beautiful ways.
