When it comes to sports, a lot of people would most probably prefer those that are played outdoors if they are concerned about how it can benefit their health. Nonetheless, there are also indoor sports that are promising in terms of how they can be good for your health. One of the perfect examples of this is ping pong.
Need reasons to be convinced that table tennis is a good indoor sport? Keep on reading the rest of this post and learn some of the health benefits of ping pong, which will convince you that it is indeed great! It is good for the body and the mind, as well as for the improvement of your social skills.
Burn Calories
It might not be as intense as basketball or football, yet playing ping pong can be beneficial for those who would like to burn excess calories. It can be a part of your regular workout routine. The faster you move and the more intense the game is, the more calories you will be able to burn.
On average, if you weigh 150 pounds, you can burn up to 272 calories if you play table tennis for an hour. The best thing is that it is entertaining, unlike other exercise routines that can bore you to death!
Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
With your hand holding the paddle and your eye following the movement of the ball, this is a sport that can also be effective in the improvement of hand-eye coordination. It is considered to be one of the world’s fastest sports, which is why it can be great in improving coordination.
If you want to have sharper reflexes, this is the right game for you. It will let you become more responsive to the things that you do every day. It will allow the eyes to send important signals to your brain based on how your hand moves.
Improves Wrist Mobility
The wrist is one of the parts of the body that most people tend to ignore. Nonetheless, it is important to pay attention to its strength and mobility. There are several exercises that can prove to be effective, but one that you might want to try is playing table tennis.
To make it better in improving your wrist strength, make sure to use the best ping pong paddle, one that is designed in such a way that it has an ergonomic handle. It should be easy and comfortable to hold with the weight that is right for your hand. Aside from the right paddle, mastery of the right techniques is also important, which will prevent wrist or hand injury.
Develops Mental Ability
There is no doubt, ping pong is good for the brain. It is one of the best mental exercises that you can do at the comfort of your own home. According to some studies, it can improve memory retention and attention span, which is especially true in the case of older people.
In one article from New York Times, it has been revealed that it can increase brain activity. It will encourage critical thinking as you figure out how to take down your opponent. You do not have the luxury of time to think of how you will respond, which is why it is going to encourage sharp thinking. You will use mental acuity to judge the ball’s spin and speed.
Improves Balance
When playing table tennis, you will master your coordinative movements, which is why it is also beneficial in terms of improving your balance. During the game, you need to learn how to stay balanced and how to change directions without losing your balance.
Improved balance can be beneficial in almost everything that you do. You will do things in a manner that is effortless and efficient when you have a good sense of balance. This is also going to improve your flexibility.
Lesser Chance of Injury
A lot of people have hesitations in trying different types of sports because of fears that it can lead to injury. This is the case in those that require physical contact, such as football. However, with table tennis, you can play without having to be worried about the possibility of an injury.
However, even when you are playing table tennis, you are not totally free from injuries. The wrist is one part that can be commonly injured. To prevent this from happening, you need to practice your serves and swings, making sure that they will demonstrate power without straining your wrist.
Improves your Social Skills
When it comes to health, a lot are focused on the physical aspect. Well, in case you do not know, it goes beyond physical. You also need to be healthy from a social perspective. You need interaction with other people, and playing table tennis can prove to be a good way to socialize with family, friends, and even strangers.
Table tennis is a game that can improve communication and help you build relationships. It can be a good way to get rid of stress and to free your mind. Your mind has to be focused only on the game, which is why you can forget all the things that are causing you a stressful life. It is a form of recreation that will give you a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of your life.
Conclusion
In sum, table tennis is not only a fun sport, but it can also be good for your body in ways more than one. As discussed, some of the health benefits of ping pong include improved eye coordination, sharper brain, better balance, and stronger wrist, among other things. With all of these things, shouldn’t you be playing ping pong right now?
