Improves hand-eye coordination
Many seniors experience changes in their hand-eye coordination as they age. This is a natural aging process, but there are definitely ways to keep these movements sharp. Playing table tennis requires players to constantly concentrate on where the ball is and move with it.
Improves eye health
Improves visual tracking skills - this is very important in daily life activities such as tracking a moving object, driving, or reading.
Strengthens peripheral vision - maintaining sharp and fast peripheral vision helps you avoid unexpected falls and stay alert in your surroundings.
Slows down the process of vision deterioration with age - playing table tennis requires rapid eye movements, so regular play maintains the elasticity and sensitivity of the eye muscles.
Improves visual reaction time - players have to react quickly to a moving ball, which helps in everyday life.
Maintains eye muscle strength - the eye muscles are critical for maintaining healthy vision. Playing table tennis, with its constant eye movements and concentration, strengthens the muscles around the eyes and maintains their flexibility.
Stimulates different areas of the brain
Many favorite activities only engage the brain in one or two ways at a time, such as reading, crossword puzzles, or watching a movie. However, playing table tennis activates several areas of the brain simultaneously. For example, when you think about your next shot, you are actively thinking about strategy, which activates the frontal cortex, which regulates decision-making, problem-solving, and voluntary movement. When you move around the table, physical activity awakens another area of the brain - the hippocampus, which is responsible for storing long-term memory. A fast-paced game of table tennis is a great way to stimulate your brain.
Encourages social interaction
Table tennis is not a game you can really play alone - you need a friend! When you find a group to play with, it provides enjoyable social interaction and fun physical activity at the same time.
Keeps reflexes sharp
Table tennis is a fast-paced game, so players must be able to react quickly. Regular practice helps players improve their hand dexterity and maintain sharp reflexes. Quick reflexes are important not only at the table tennis table - a fast reaction time can be very helpful in recovering from a slip and preventing a fall.
Improves balance
In table tennis, the ball often moves quite quickly. This means that players often have to change direction quickly to successfully make their next move. These types of movements are great for improving balance, which is extremely important for older adults. Seniors who play regularly often notice an improvement in their balance, which can help prevent future falls.
Burns calories
Table tennis is a great, inconspicuous workout. Why inconspicuous? When playing with friends, you probably don’t think of it as exercise, but it actually burns calories! In fact, a 68-kilogram person can burn more than 250 calories per hour playing table tennis. Not bad! It’s also a fantastic way to stay active when the weather is bad, as you can break a sweat indoors.
