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Ways Pickleball Can Benefit Your Health as You Age

As you age, you are more likely to be concerned about how well you perform both physically and mentally. Health is essential, and your body is bound to change over time, not always for the best. Yet, by staying active, many individuals see that tasks remain easy to perform, and they are able to stay spry.

Even though you might not be able to participate in something like football when you get older, there are still athletic options for you to choose from. One that has become popular in recent years is pickleball. Much like tennis or badminton, the sport is played on a netted court but uses a paddle similar to the ones used in ping pong.

Though its name might be funny, pickleball provides its players with many advantages that last them well into their future. Aside from the fact that it is a sport for all ages, it is considered a significant health booster, too. Some of its most helpful effects are listed below.

If you find the perks intriguing, then now is the perfect time to start playing! Salted City Sports can keep you feeling young by providing you with pickleball rackets designed with whimsical art or your own custom design.

Coordination

Everyone values their freedom, so the idea of needing to depend on others can be stressful. When aging, bodies can be hindered, and even doing things like bending and lifting becomes a struggle. The only way to avoid this issue is by keeping your body in motion as often as possible.

Pickleball players have to constantly move their arms and legs so that they are able to make contact with the ball. Not only do they have to jog lightly on the court, but they are constantly swinging their arms while hitting the ball with their paddles. They also gain better hand-eye coordination through serving the ball and whenever they try to volley it across the net.

By being more agile, you also reduce your chances of going to the hospital. Since you can recognize your movements better, you won’t be as likely to suffer a fall. Even if you do trip or have a mishap, your chances of breaking something decrease when you participate in pickleball as your strength begins to increase, which is discussed further in the next section.

Bone Strength

A typical age-related problem that most people go through is osteoporosis, also known as bone loss. Although bone tissue knows how to rebuild itself, it needs minerals and constant movement to do this. Osteoporosis is particularly a problem for women going through menopause, as the body loses much-needed hormones like estrogen.

In pickleball, you are constantly on your feet and moving so that you are able to swing at the ball. Even though you have to be quick, pickleball is not usually intense, so you likely won’t put too much strain on yourself. Along with your bones, these movements can improve the health of your joints and muscles, reducing your chances of developing arthritis.

Not only does staying active keep your bones from declining, but because pickleball is often played outside, you are taking in much-needed vitamin D from the sun, which also helps promote strength in your skeletal system.

Memory

One of the scariest things about aging is how it can lead to a person becoming forgetful. Diseases like Alzheimer’s affect more than six million Americans alone. Although more likely to be found in individuals over the age of 60, its symptoms can pop up at any time. The best way to lower your risks is by partaking in activities that keep your mind sharp.

While playing pickleball, you need to keep your eye on the ball at all times so that you can know when to hit it. During the game, you will also be reminding yourself about the score. Even when off of the court, you can keep the gears in your brain working by coming up with new strategies on how to improve your game.

Mentality

The way you feel emotionally can affect the ways you feel physically. When you feel down or depressed, it can be hard to do simple chores or tasks. Many experiencing such lows often become sluggish and have lower life expectancies. This happens a lot in older individuals, who might feel disconnected from their loved ones or have nothing to do with their time once they retire.

When participating in something that requires a lot of activity, endorphins are released into your mind, improving your mood. Since pickleball also requires you to play against others, you will also be opening yourself to social interaction, which helps you from feeling lonely or isolated.

How to Get Started

If pickleball sounds like an exciting sport to you, then you should not hesitate to get started. You can look around your area for any leagues that have spots or to see if any recreational centers have courts. Even if there are no teams yet, you could consider starting your own or inviting friends to try out the game, as well.

Once you have that figured out, make sure you locate the right equipment. Balls used in the sport are similar to wiffle balls, containing a number of holes and being made of hard plastic. As for your paddle, you need a smooth and flat surface to ensure the best shots.

Since there are no weight requirements for paddles, some can be quite heavy and strain aging individuals or make the game more challenging. Recognizing this, Salted City Sports designed their pickleball paddles with Evo-Lite, making them the best choice for all types of players because they believe everyone should have access to this fun sport.

Kids can get interested in pickleball, too! Along with their standard paddles, Salted City Sports has a children’s line, allowing the youngest individuals to start an early path to a long-lasting healthy lifestyle. With this in mind, you could get your children and grandchildren involved in a day of fun with you.

All of their pickleball paddles are hand-drawn and made with exciting art that can show off who you are. If their options don’t suit you, then you can make up your own style, and they will gladly build the paddle you want. You can click here to take a look at all of the options currently available. Feel free to contact them if you have any questions about the paddles or the sport in general.

Staying active is important for individuals of any age. Even if you think you are “too old” to participate in a new activity, it should not be an excuse. Age should never matter when you are trying to keep yourself healthy and have fun. As you can see, pickleball is a great option to consider when you’re ready to be accountable for yourself and get on the move.