Tennis for Health
It’s the same every year. When one of the so-called Grand Slam tennis events like the French or US Open tournaments or Wimbledon comes around people everywhere search out their old rackets and head for the courts.
And, while they might not have the skills of a Novak Djokovic or a Coco Gauff or be able to generate the kind of sports betting the stars of the game do, most have all the enthusiasm they need to enjoy a good game.
In the process they will be playing a sport that has more health benefits than they might possibly imagine. In fact, it’s one of the very best activities for improving all round fitness and stamina.
Heart-pumping action
It’s generally agreed that aerobic exercise that gets the lungs and heart working hard is very good for developing fitness and stamina. It can also be especially effective if it involves sudden bursts of extreme activity. By its very nature this is exactly the kind of movement that tennis involves as you play rally after rally with pauses in between. These give your heart a chance to return to its normal resting level.
The fact that a tennis match can last for an hour or more also means that physical stamina is gradually increased the more that you play.
The longer-term effects of this can include reducing blood pressure and lowering a person’s resting heart rate by increasing their aerobic capacity. As a sport that compares very favorably with other activities in terms of calories burned, it can also be a great way to lose weight.
Stronger body and bones
The next big advantage of playing is a physical one. You only have to look at the physiques of professional players to see how muscular and toned they are. Much of this may have been achieved by long hours in the gym doing resistance work, but actually playing tennis also has an effect.
It’s a sport in which all of the body’s muscles are engaged. For the upper body and arms it’s the twisting and hitting actions that are involved. For the legs it’s the sprinting round the court that gets them working.
There’s also considerable evidence to suggest that the impact of hitting the ball and running increases bone density – something that can help to ward off conditions like osteoporosis in later life.
All in the mind
At a time when we’re all more aware of the importance of maintaining good mental health, it’s good to recognize the role that tennis can play with this too. Put aside thoughts of the on-court meltdowns of players like Nick Kyrgios and consider the chance that playing a peaceful game with friends will make you feel more relaxed.
There’s also the question of the strategic thinking that’s needed even in the friendliest of games as you try to work out the weak spots of your opponent and how to exploit them.
And let’s not forget the concentration needed to keep track of the score as you play. These all add up to be ways that you exercise that other muscle that benefits from being used – the brain.
The social aspect
Humans are social animals. So, all activities that involve getting together with friends and family are also very good for our wider mental health.
The tennis club is the perfect place to do this, and also to make new friends with whom you already know you have one thing in common – a love of tennis.
Playing in a club also means that it should be possible to find plenty of new opponents of about the same level as you. Although, if you really want to improve your game, it will always pay to take on players who are slightly better than you.
And the rest . . .
There are many other reasons why tennis is such a great sport to play. The first of these is that you can be as competitive or as friendly as suits you. Unlike team sports where winning is always the aim, just having a friendly knock-up is enough for some people. But if you do want a no-holds-barred five set duel that’s fine too.
It’s also a sport that has virtually no upper age limit. People regularly go on playing well into their 70s and 80s. They might not be as quick around the court as they once were but often guile and experience can make them tough opponents to beat.
Last, but not least, if you’re lucky enough to live near a club with indoor courts it’s a genuine year-round sport.
It all adds up to a great way to get fit, keep fit and have a very sociable time too. And, even if you never get to play at Wimbledon or Flushing Meadows, you can still have a great deal of fun.