Now Table Tennis is not a difficult sport to play, it can be slightly harder and more frustrating to learn to play it well but the heap of mental health benefits that it brings to the table are enormous.
There is no denying that Table Tennis or Ping Pong is a popular sport both socially and at a League and Professional level. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is the sport's governing body say more than 300 million people play table tennis worldwide.
Even so, many will prefer to get their exercise benefits from a stroll in the park, a jog around the block or a trip to the gym. There are many other ways to provide that mental 'perk' that is exercising and the indoor and outdoor sports list of activities is massive.
As Scientists continue to explore how physical exercise affects the human brain they do seem confident that it increases attention and memory exponentially with movement. Research suggests it can improve attention span in most people and aid with memory retention. It has benefits for motor learning and helps to enhance or boost moods. At the same time as your mood improves you also build motor circuits inside your brain. That means a bigger part of the human brain gets activated - more than usual.
Table tennis is a game of fitness, tactics and strategy. It's played in a small space which tends to speed up the action and ultimately your mind. That also encourages players to think and move at a speedy pace.
10 Benefits of Table Tennis
Expands Mental Sharpness
Players use mental thought and vision to judge the speed and spin of the ball. The same brain sharpness also calculates the ball placement during a rally. You do not need to be a professional player to get these mental health benefits from table tennis. Nonetheless, it means you will become more skilled in creating and solving mental puzzles.
Players use mental thought and vision to judge the speed and spin of the ball. The same brain sharpness also calculates the ball placement during a rally. You do not need to be a professional player to get these mental health benefits from table tennis. Nonetheless, it means you will become more skilled in creating and solving mental puzzles.
Stimulates Sections of the Brain
Players use the prefrontal cortex for shot anticipation and strategic planning. Energetic aerobic activity also stimulates the hippocampus. That is the section of the brain that allows us to formulate and keep long-term memory of events and facts.
Players use the prefrontal cortex for shot anticipation and strategic planning. Energetic aerobic activity also stimulates the hippocampus. That is the section of the brain that allows us to formulate and keep long-term memory of events and facts.
Sharpens the Brain
Alzheimer's & Dementia Weekly reported an increase in motor skills from playing table tennis. They saw improvement in cognitive awareness and increased blood flow to the brain.
Alzheimer's & Dementia Weekly reported an increase in motor skills from playing table tennis. They saw improvement in cognitive awareness and increased blood flow to the brain.
Improves Balance
Playing successful rallies in table tennis requires a sturdy balance. The elderly and the young will get the benefits from quick movements and directional changes.
Playing successful rallies in table tennis requires a sturdy balance. The elderly and the young will get the benefits from quick movements and directional changes.
Stimulates Mental Alertness
Playing table tennis improves overall concentration and tactical strategies. That helps to sharpen natural body reflexes for older people and youngsters alike.
Playing table tennis improves overall concentration and tactical strategies. That helps to sharpen natural body reflexes for older people and youngsters alike.
Table Tennis is Gentle on Bone Joints
The game is not a member on the weirdest and most extreme sports list. It is a game those with knee surgery or minor back problems can play. It is also an ideal way to improve your body core strength without overtaxing the bone joints.
The game is not a member on the weirdest and most extreme sports list. It is a game those with knee surgery or minor back problems can play. It is also an ideal way to improve your body core strength without overtaxing the bone joints.
Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
Coordination improves as you follow the ball's movement. Using your perception to correctly follow its trajectory after the stroke also helps to improve eye-hand coordination.
Coordination improves as you follow the ball's movement. Using your perception to correctly follow its trajectory after the stroke also helps to improve eye-hand coordination.
Enhances Reflexes
The sport is fast-paced and short-distanced (in my case that could be debatable) in nature. Short bursts of exertion help to improve gross and fine muscle movement.
The sport is fast-paced and short-distanced (in my case that could be debatable) in nature. Short bursts of exertion help to improve gross and fine muscle movement.
Playing Ping Pong Burns Calories
Most public health and wellness experts agree that playing table tennis burns calories. A 70kg person is likely to burn close to 300 calories after playing ping pong for one hour. Most players consider the game to be addictive, fun, and easy way to lose some body weight.
Most public health and wellness experts agree that playing table tennis burns calories. A 70kg person is likely to burn close to 300 calories after playing ping pong for one hour. Most players consider the game to be addictive, fun, and easy way to lose some body weight.
An Opportunity to Meet People
Playing table tennis is a great way to socialise and bond with other people. The social outlet is a chance for the young and seniors to meet people and build new relationships.
Playing table tennis is a great way to socialise and bond with other people. The social outlet is a chance for the young and seniors to meet people and build new relationships.
Also Table Tennis is inclusive and I mean in all walks of life, all sexes and all ages, at Rowhedge Table Tennis Club I remember the Chairman of the club and President of the Colchester Table Tennis League, the legend that is Mick Buckley aged over 80 have a really great match against, at the time, a 13 year old up and coming superstar Jared Chelski, pic above, who won isn't important but how many other sports can you see that 'match up' happening in...
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