Lower Risk of Early Death by Playing Pickleball: A new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine says playing pickleball regularly can reduce the risk of dying early by almost 50 percent. The sport’s health benefits—including heart and brain support—may explain why it has become so popular around the world.
Pickleball is an aerobic sport that improves blood flow, boosts energy, and sharpens the brain. It also supports mental health and coordination, especially among older adults. The sport is simple to learn, fun to play, and low-cost, making it widely accessible for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Study Shows Big Health Benefits
Researchers say playing pickleball often may help people live longer. It increases heart rate without putting too much pressure on the joints. This helps improve heart health and circulation. It also supports balance and brain function.
The study says that people who play pickleball may reduce stress and slow memory loss by about 30 percent. Players also feel better emotionally because of the game’s social side—talking, laughing, and making friends on the pickleball court.
Expert Views on Why Pickleball Works
Longevity expert Dan Buettner shared why pickleball stands out among other sports when it comes to adding years to your life.
“The sports that offer the most years are sports that involve a racket. Badminton, for example, adds about six years to your life expectancy, and tennis adds over nine years to your life expectancy,” Dan Buettner said in a PPA Tour report.
“But the sport that adds the most years to your life expectancy is pickleball. Why? Well, because it is a racket sport, and it is also easy to learn and consummately social. You cannot help but meet people when you get on the pickleball court. It is regular. It is something you can do every day. It is something that is available to just about anybody for very cheap.” (Buettner)
Heather Milton, a clinical exercise physiologist at NYU Langone Health’s Sports Performance Center, also explained why pickleball helps the body more than other common workouts.
“When you get on an elliptical or a treadmill, you are moving forward the whole time. Pickleball gives you a much more well-rounded movement pattern because you are moving in multiple planes of motion and in different directions. It contributes to improving your agility, your muscular endurance, as well as hand-eye coordination.” – (Heather Milton)
What This Means for Pickleball Players
The study’s results suggest that pickleball could become a key part of healthy living. Unlike other sports, it offers physical exercise and a chance to connect with others. This combination may explain why more people are taking up the game every year.
With its fast growth, rising demand for courts, and strong health benefits, pickleball may play a big role in future public health.
News in Brief: Lower Risk of Early Death by Playing Pickleball
A new study says playing pickleball often can cut the risk of early death by nearly 50 percent. Experts link the sport’s strong health benefits to its mix of movement, mental sharpness, and social fun. Easy to learn and affordable, pickleball may be one of the best ways to stay healthy longer.
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