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The Hidden Benefits of Pickleball for Active Seniors

Seniors playing pickleball outdoors

In pickleball, the best elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong collide to create an incredible sport for all ages and skill levels. However, the best part about pickleball is that it’s just as fun as it is healthy. 

If you’re ready for a brand-new beat in your senior fitness routine, grab a paddle, step onto the court, and experience the benefits of pickleball for seniors. 

Get Moving on the Court and Improve Your Heart Health

Pickleball is a lot like tennis, but not as intense. This makes it a great sport for active seniors looking to improve their cardiovascular health, but are fond of other heart-pumping activities like running or Pilates.

When you play pickleball regularly, your heart becomes stronger and healthier, which can lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol, and decrease the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart attack.  

Playing Pickleball Can Boost Your Mental Health

Moderate exercise, such as pickleball, causes your brain to release endorphins, which can elevate your mood, help you feel more self-confident, alleviate stress levels, and simply distract you from your worries. 

Exercise also improves your sleep quality by helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. These benefits of pickleball lead to less anxiety, decreased symptoms of depression and better mental health overall. 

The Pickleball Court Is Always Packed

One of the best benefits of pickleball is that it’s a social sport. Whether you’re playing with someone you already know or taking on friendly matches with your new neighbors in a senior living community, a pickleball court is a great place to strengthen social connections.

While you might have to wait for your turn on the court, there are still plenty of social opportunities on the sidelines. So don’t be afraid to chat with someone else who’s waiting their turn, because it might turn into a lasting friendship. 

Pickleball Improves Your Range of Motion

Pickleball improves your range of motion, strengthens your reflexes, improves your balance and lubricates your joints. That’s because the gentle bouncing movements and swinging of your paddle during pickleball uses your joints, which helps keep them lubricated with synovial fluid. This eases joint pain for older adults with arthritis. 

In combination with the hand-eye coordination it takes to play pickleball, these specific physical benefits can also help you avoid falls and fall-related injuries, and lessen your need for  assistance with daily activities as you age.

Pickleball Is a Great Sport for Active Seniors with Past Injuries

Whether it’s a sports-related injury or an injury from something else, it’s difficult to find physical activities that get you moving without causing pain. A smaller court means there’s less wear and tear on your knees. The soft, light ball doesn’t require a large amount of force to launch it over the net, which means less stress on the tendons and muscles in your arms.

Keep in mind that learning a new sport can take time, even if it’s a fun and simple one like pickleball. If you’re a seasoned tennis player, don’t get discouraged if you aren’t a master pickleball player immediately. Many people report the ball isn’t as bouncy as expected, and they needed time to adjust to a shorter racket.  

It’s Truly a Sport for All Skill Levels

The small layout of a pickleball court makes it feel more welcoming and the wide paddles used to hit the ball have a large sweet spot, which makes it the perfect sport for beginners and advanced players alike. No matter your age or ability, all are welcome to take part in this popular sport.

With simple rules and inexpensive equipment, there’s no reason you can’t serve up some fun and experience the fantastic benefits of pickleball for yourself!

Meet Your Next Pickleball Partner at Robson Reserve at PebbleCreek 

The active residents in our senior living community love to hit the pickleball courts, get in a round of golf, and relax in the whirlpool at the Tuscany Sports & Aquatics Complex. To learn how to become a resident at Robson Reserve at PebbleCreek and enjoy an abundance of luxurious amenities, contact our team online or call us at 1-800-940-9697. We can’t wait to get to know you!