Parkinson’s disease
Table tennis, or ping-pong, is increasingly recognized as a beneficial activity for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The sport’s focus on balance, hand-eye coordination, rhythmic movements, and concentration can help manage and potentially improve certain Parkinson’s symptoms.
Benefits of Table Tennis for Parkinson’s:
Improved Motor Skills:
Table tennis requires quick reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and rhythmic movements, which can help improve these skills in people with Parkinson’s.
Enhanced Balance and Coordination:
The need to move quickly and maintain balance during play can lead to better stability and reduced risk of falls.
Cognitive Stimulation:
The mental focus and strategic thinking required for table tennis can help improve cognitive function and alertness.
Social Interaction:
Playing table tennis provides opportunities for social interaction, which can combat isolation and improve mental well-being.
Mood Booster:
Engaging in physical activity like table tennis can release endorphins, improving mood and reducing feelings of depression or anxiety, which are common in Parkinson’s.
Potential Symptom Management:
Some studies suggest that table tennis can lead to improvements in Parkinson’s symptoms such as rigidity, slowness of movement, and tremors.
Increased Confidence:
Participating in a sport like table tennis can empower individuals with Parkinson’s, helping them feel more in control of their bodies and lives
Dr. Elizabeth Kera, Neuropsychologist at Hackensack University Medical Center
“Ping-pong has been shown to have a beneficial impact on multiple aspects of motor functioning and cognition. It is a way to continue to engage in physical exercise and thinking skills on a more consistent basis. Moreover, individuals are socializing during the game, working on aspects of not just mobility but also speech, mood and acceptance in social circles.”
World Table Tennis for Health Festival
The World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships (WPTTC) is a platform for players with Parkinson’s disease to connect, share stories, and enjoy table tennis.
Parkinson’s Patients Using Ping Pong As Therapy
Can Ping Pong Help Parkinson’s? | Inside Penn Medicine’s Community Program
Why is Ping Pong beneficial for Parkinson?
There are data to suggest that exercise such as table tennis provides the opportunity for “whole-brain activity” which not only engages motor activity, but also requires the brain to engage in motor planning, visual attention, visuospatial processing, strategy formation, and executive functioning..
World Table Tennis for Health Festival
USA: Ping Pong Parkinson’s – 2024 Physical Activity and Health special film prize – 5th HAFF
PingPongParkinson® World Championship
Anyone Can Play Table Tennis
Table tennis is one of the most adaptable and inclusive sports there is for people with all kinds of disabilities.