1975: The Copenhagen City Heart Study began. It followed 8577 people for 25 years; the sports they played; and their physical activity.
Results: Any physical activity resulted in increased
life expectancy. The amount of increased life expectancy varied with the sport
played.
Tennis: 9.7 years
Badminton 6.2 years
Soccer 4.7 years
Cycling 3.7 years
Swimming 3.4 years
Jogging 3.2 years
Calisthenics 3.1 years
Health Club Activities 1.5 years
The Copenhagen
City Heart Study found
that adults who played tennis or other racket sports lived longest.
Why is
social sport better for you than solitary sport?
When you
play pickleball you are exercising socially. You are becoming healthier
socially.
Playing pickleball
you subconsciously watch your opponent. You watch where they move. You
anticipate. You watch their shot. Your behaviour depends on other people on
the court. You exercise socially as well as physically.
The
inability to alter your behaviour to fit in and match the people around you is
a sign of poor social health and poor emotional health.
The Copenhagen City Heart Study has dramatically changed paradigms. Many studies have flowed from this seminal
study.
They all show the same thing.
Physical, emotional, and social health are all related and all are important.
