Want to know more about Pickleball for seniors?
Pickleball is a great game for seniors. It is no longer a sport for just the young generation. Given the ease of the gameplay and the kind of unique rules and regulations it has, the sport is gaining rapid popularity among the more mature as well.
Compared to other racquet sports, pickleball is very interactive and a low-impact sport, which means that you won’t have too many complaints about discomfort, especially ones that are influenced by age. Pickleball keeps you on your feet and keeps you active and social. Being active and social is so important as you get older.
Many senior living communities are now incorporating pickleball courts into their grounds.
If you are playing Pickleball on a community court you may like to check out our Quiet Pickleball Paddles page
The fact that Pickleball courts are half the size of tennis courts means you are not covering as much court to get to the ball. Also, Pickleball can be very strategic. Once you have mastered the rules, particularly understanding the kitchen rules, you will find that you are able to place the ball for a winner every time.
This strategic thinking game will keep your brain active and your feet dancing across the court…all the while mixing with friends and opponents.
Here are some of the great reasons you should be looking into Pickleball for seniors…
It is a low-impact sport
Being low-impact doesn’t mean it’s not exciting or challenging. It can also be fast paced.
Although Pickleball involves a paddle, ball and an outdoor court, the sport is comparatively low-impact. You won’t have to worry about putting a strain on your knees and joints or overall physical health. Instead, it is quite light on the feet and is usually the perfect mix of endorphins and giggles by the end of the game.
Check out some of our recommended Pickleball paddles for beginners that have shock-absorbing qualities for a gentler hitting action.
Low risk of joint injuries
When it comes to seniors indulging in sports, there can be a heightened risk to their physical health. However, there is also medical evidence to support the benefits of sports for seniors.
The key is the type of sports and the well-being of the individual.
Pickleball is one of those sports that allows you to be strategic on the court without having to run constantly. It also uses a hollow, perforated ball that doesn’t require a strong hit by the players.
Read our detailed article on warm up exercises for Pickleball and keep joint injuries low risk
It can boost your mood and energy
Senior people can be subject to feeling down, especially if they feel isolated or like they are confined to one place in the house.
Playing Pickleball can drastically change that and allow seniors to socialize with their community on the court. It also allows them to interact with different people from different age groups and sectors enabling them to have a better and more interactive social life. And we all know that when a person, regardless of age, has a good social life, it reflects on their mood and cognition too.
It improves overall physical health
Being on the wrong side of 21 can bring along a lot of complications, especially regarding your physical health. So, indulging in pickleball can be a good choice.
Seniors mostly prefer pickleball because it works out the entire body, allowing them to lead an active lifestyle. Regular exercise with a pickleball game also reflects well on muscle and bone strength in the seniors, which is a major benefit as well.
Burns those calories!
Age often comes with the possibility of heightened risks of heart attacks and strokes. Besides age being a factor, the main reason why these happen is due to the sedentary lifestyle of the people involved.
Generally, when people age, they fear indulging in physical activities and seem to switch to a sedentary lifestyle. This is where most of the complications arise.
Playing pickleball translates to an amazing exercise regime, allowing you to burn off the unwanted calories, keep your weight under control and keep your health on track too.
It improves balance
You wouldn’t think of this as a possibility, right? But, pickleball indeed has amazing benefits in improving your balance, gait, stance and posture.
Balance is such an important part of staying healthy as we mature. It prevents hip injuries that can be life threatening.
When we age, our spine starts curving and it can become difficult to keep our posture straight and our balance in check. Pickleball allows restoring that lost balance in seniors through movement and helps you lead a much more comfortable life without feeling burdened.
Improves agility
Pickleball is quite an easy sport to master. The rules can seem a little complicated in the beginning but once you master them, it becomes an easy ride from there.
Ideally, pickleball is light on the body but the subtle movements across the court are enough to tone your muscles and also improve your overall agility. However, this happens with consistency. So, if you are playing the game once a month and forgetting it the rest of the time, you won’t see the best results.
It helps with networking
With age, we lose a lot of relationships and have people around us become busier with their own lives.
This is one of the reasons why seniors find themselves depressed and lonely.
Taking up a sport like Pickleball can be the perfect cure because you get to meet new people, engage in a conversation and have a fun time playing a physical sport with other people. In short, seniors get to make new friends, something that is often close to impossible when you’re confined to your home or neighborhood.
Such a fun game for seniors
Pickleball is such a fun game for seniors.
Unlike most other racquet sports, pickleball is a perfect leisure sport.
It doesn’t involve a lot of physical strength and activity and involves a paddle and hollow ball. This makes it an ideal sport for seniors, especially if they don’t have the physical strength to run across the court to hit back a heavy tennis ball.
Pickleball is an amazing leisure activity for seniors to break from their boring routines and find something exciting to do in their lives. Outdoors, active and with friends – that does sound like the perfect lifestyle choice!
Check with your medical professional
Although pickleball is a fun and easy sport, we can’t stress enough that every senior does need to be cautious.
Pickleball for seniors does involve a certain degree of physical movement around the court, along with bending, running and causal sprints. So, before you get on with it, always consult with your medical professional about the dos and don’ts surrounding the game.
The last thing you want is to experience the complete opposite of what your intent with the game was.
Final words…
Pickleball for seniors is a great way to keep active and social for those who are thinking of starting their journey on a pickleball court as a hobby or leisure activity.
The game can be as challenging and exciting as you like. Play with others who are at a similar age and level and you will notice the benefits to your overall health very quickly.
Enjoy!
