Table Tennis Health Benefits
Marie-Annick Courtier 
Research has indicated that Table Tennis is the “#1 brain game” with real cognitive and health benefits.
Interestingly enough, I have seen a growth in demand for Table Tennis coaching and club playing. Such growth of the sport is expected to continue in the coming years. One of the major reasons is the medical field and the media promoting it in recent months for its health benefits. Much research has indicated that Table Tennis is the “#1 brain game” with real cognitive benefits for those living with dementia and Parkinson's diseases. The Bounce Alzheimer’s Therapy Foundation has created the world’s first therapeutic Table Tennis table for use in hospitals, care homes, and community centers.
“While playing ping pong, we have enhanced motor, strategy, and long-term memory functions, " explains Dr. Wendy Suzuki, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at New York University. She also believes the game enhances brain function, unlike any other sport. While dancing is great for the brain as well, it requires learning new steps to get the benefit rather than just grooving to the music. Even then, dancing or tennis for that matter do not have the same quick reflexes or workouts that a game of ping pong provides. People with Parkinson's Disease have also found that playing Ping Pong positively impacted their mental and physical therapy. Check this great interview: Why doctors say playing ping-pong could help manage Parkinson's disease symptoms - CBS News
So let's explore a little bit those health benefits
1. Full body workout (feet, legs, abdomen, back, arms, muscles, ligaments) and an important mind workout.
2. Good cardiovascular workout. This aerobic exercise stimulates the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is responsible for allowing us to form and retain long-term facts and events.
3. Improves core strength and joint mobility without pressuring joints much.
4. Higher cognitive functions found in players. Keeps the brain balance and sharp with problem-solving, motor skills, and cognitive awareness. It increases the flow of blood to the brain, which may prevent and help with dementia.
5. Improves hand-eye coordination as the game stimulates mental alertness. The anticipation of a shot or move, concentration, and tactical strategies are all done in the prefrontal cortex.
6. Improves balance, coordination, reaction time, and sharpen reflexes
7. Improve focus, memory, and mental acuity. The relation to speed, spin, placement, tactics, and memory, all involve the prefrontal and medial temporal cortexes.
8. Clears the mind of clutter, as one concentrates on the game.
9. Reduces stress and anxiety.
10. Improve reflexes through the fast speed of the ball and exchanges. Balance and coordination are essential in aging. Brain reaction picks at age 24 and then slowly declines which science has shown can be prevented or even reversed by playing Table Tennis.
11. Helps keep in shape, tone, and lose weight while having fun (about 250 to 300 calories for one hour of play for an average person).
12. Lower cholesterol, reduce risk of diabetes and heart disease, and lower blood pressure.
13. Improves sleep quality.
14. Provides a great social environment. A good way to bond with others no matter the age and help with communication and building relationships.
As you can see Table Tennis is a great sport for many reasons. It also provides a great environment to meet new people and make friends. And let's not forget the spiritual aspect of playing. Yes, there is a natural amazing, peaceful, and joyful space that opens up while playing. I love you to discover it. So, I encourage you to check your local club and, if in my area, come and play a game of ping pong with me and my friends.
I look forward to playing with you and helping you improve your game and health! Marie-Annick
