Pickleball for Seniors
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States, according to USA Pickleball. It’s easy to see why too: people of all age groups can enjoy it. Older people, especially, can reap some serious benefits from the sport. From fostering social connections to boosting physical well-being, here are some of the top benefits of pickleball for seniors.
Health Benefits of Pickleball for Older Adults
Individuals with dementia may have difficulty regulating their body temperature due to cognitive decline. As a result, they may be less aware of heat-related discomfort and less likely to take appropriate measures to stay cool.
Senior pickleball players can find a lot to love in this low-impact sport. Some of the major benefits of pickleball for older adults include the following.
Easy on joint health.
Joint pain and conditions like osteoarthritis are common in older people, which can make getting enough physical activity hard. Fortunately, the low-impact nature of pickleball means it’s a great form of exercise for seniors.
Great for hand-eye coordination.
Hand-eye coordination is important for everyone, but especially seniors. Good hand-eye coordination can mean an easier time with daily activities like getting dressed, eating, and moving about. To help maintain this coordination with age, seniors can engage in activities like badminton, ping-pong, and pickleball.
Boosts mental health.
Pickleball isn’t just great for physical health; it’s great for mental health as well thanks to the social aspect of the sport.
As people age, it can be harder to engage socially. When seniors play pickleball, however, they can build a sense of community and feel camaraderie between teammates. Regular social interaction can help seniors reduce their risk of mental illness like depression and even developing dementia.
Caters to all skill levels.
Everyone starts a new activity as a beginner. When sports aren’t inclusive of new players, however, it can become discouraging. That’s not the case with this sport. Not everyone needs to be a world-class athlete to enjoy pickleball games. Many pickleball tournaments have different brackets so that players of all skill and fitness levels can participate.
May boost cardiovascular health.
Pickleball is a sport that helps get people up and active, which can be great for heart health. According to one study, pickleball can help people get their heart rate up—safely—to promote cardiovascular health and help players meet their exercise quotas.
Works important muscle groups.
While pickleball primarily works muscle groups in the upper body, it can also engage the core and lower body. This engagement can help improve or maintain balance, flexibility, coordination, and strength among seniors, especially when games are paired with proper warm-ups and cool-downs.
Playing Pickleball at Summerville
Looking for a pickleball court for seniors near you? Join Summerville of St. Andrew’s, an active adult living community in Eureka, Missouri. We offer amenities that help our residents stay active and engaged every single day. You can find a pickleball court, bocce ball court, cycling paths, a fitness room, and more on our campus, along with plentiful other amenities and services to make each day as fulfilling as possible.
If you or a family member want to learn more about our senior living community or other senior living options, complete this form or call (314) 742-8577. We’ll be in touch shortly.
