YORK, Pa. — Pickleball has become the fastest growing sport among people of all ages. In this week's Health Smart report, we look at why it's more than just fun--it offers players several health benefits as well.
Pickleball has been around since 1965; however, the combination sport of tennis, ping-pong and badminton has really gained popularity in the last 5 - 10 years.
"It's evolving into the most popular sport in the country," said Ken Swalgin, president of the White Rose Pickleball Association, which was founded in 2017. "The way I look at it, it's a sport for the people. You know, if you wanna get out here and learn the game, we have clinics for you."
The group has 520 members consisting of people of all ages, and to Swalgin, the camaraderie is his favorite part. It's not the only one, though.
"It's a good cardio workout. It's gonna get the heart rate going, it's gonna burn the calories, helping people lose weight," said Dee Chambers.
She not only loves playing pickleball, but as an athletic trainer for WellSpan Health, she's also aware of its many health benefits.
"It's good for balance, it's good for your agility, you know, footwork, just overall muscle tone... you're gonna work every muscle in your body, and you don't even realize it," Chambers said. "It's kinda an alternative to the gym but you can still get that same type of workout."
Along with all of those benefits, pickleball can also improve hand-eye coordination and flexibility, improve heart health, prevent osteoporosis and boost a person's mood and mental health. That's one of the reasons Chambers says she introduced her own kids to the sport.
"It's easily adaptable for any age, and I can get the kids out there, and it's fun to just hit the ball around, but if you're looking for a more competitive vibe, you can come out to a court like this and get a pretty good challenge," Chambers said.
Challenging or not, Ken says pickleball really is a sport for everyone.
"If you could run 3 steps, you can play this game... really," he said.
If you're interested in learning how to play or would like more information on the White Rose Pickleball Association, click here.
For more information on WellSpan's rehabilitation program, click here.