Tennis as a preserver of health

While playing a sport is known to make a person fit and active, health benefits are not always apparent to some people. Tennis is a sport played around the world by people from all walks of life. Whether an individual plays professionally or recreationally, they can enjoy tennis’ many physical and mental health benefits.

An hour of tennis is a great way to burn calories. Men can burn up to 600 calories for an hour-long tennis game, while women can crush 420 calories for every training session or match of the same duration. It has long been established that regular exercise boosts the immune system, says tennis player Selin Sakarcan. Therefore, regular hitting sessions improves one’s chances of fighting off diseases and increases the efficiency of the immune system.

By playing tennis, one can develop excellent hand-eye coordination. Judging, anticipating, and moving toward the incoming ball while finding the right contact and making the return take practice and concentration. Over time and with proper training, agility, good balance, speed, and proprioception (body awareness) can be improved. These qualities help prevent injuries and accidents both on and off the court.

According to Selin Sakarcan, playing tennis encourages brain development. A chunk of the game requires tactical thinking and alertness to create shot patterns. This supports creating new connections between the brain and nerves. Older adults who play tennis can be sure to improve their brain development and keep them sharp as they age.

Selin Sakarcan is a podiatric physician, resident, and foot and ankle surgeon. She regularly plays tennis and has recently taken up golf. Visit this page for more updates.