Tennis: The Model Sport for Health and Wellness? Brian Hainline, M.D. USTA Chief Medical Officer Kurt Kamperman USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis
How Can Tennis Help Society? America is in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis. Societal trends have shifted our behavior in unhealthy ways. Our medical system does not promote preventative care.
Societal Woes Passive activities are causing more kids to be overweight and unfit
Societal Woes Sedentary childhood often leads to sedentary adulthood.
Societal Woes Schools are eliminating daily physical activity to provide additional classroom time.
Societal Woes 3 out of 4 high school students do NOT engage in the recommended amount of physical activity.
Societal Woes
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)
Societal Woes
How Can We Combat These Issues? There is no silver bullet Exercise Key To Making ChangeExercise is medicine Tennis is the ideal sport to exercise your body and mind
Exercise Health Benefits
Exercise Guidelines
Exercise Health Benefits
Exercise Guidelines Recommended levels of physical activity Adults At least 30 min/day of moderate-vigorous physical activity at least 5 days/week (ACSM, AHA, HHS)
Tennis Benefits… Why Tennis?
Tennis Benefits… YOUNG CHILDREN– Tennis provides children with much-needed exercise and helps psychological skill development, improve bone growth and general fitness.
Tennis Benefits… PRE-TEENS AND TEENS – This age group will have tons of fun, increase their social skills and build friendships. Tennis helps pre-teens and teens increase their self-confidence, generally feel better about themselves and enhance their cognitive abilities.
Tennis Benefits… ADULTS (Ages 18 – 55) – Tennis is a great fitness activity and good social outlet that provides general wellness by improving the immune system. It also boosts cognitive skills & emotional well-being.
Tennis Benefits… SENIORS (ages 55 – up) – Tennis is a tremendous activity for strengthening the immune system, thus improving longevity. It also assists in the development of a healthier bone structure and the prevention of osteoporosis.
Tennis Benefits… “I recommend seniors work out five or six days a week. A heart-thumping game of tennis can keep the older brain in top shape.” Dr. John Ratley in USA Today (Feb. 19, 2008)
Tennis is the ultimate exercise – both mentally and physically Tennis-specific research has discovered: Participating in tennis three hours per week at a moderately vigorous intensity cut in half the risk of death from any cause (Dr. Paffenbarger, who studied 10,000 people for 20 years)
Tennis is the ultimate exercise – both mentally and physically Tennis-specific research has discovered: Players scored higher in vigor, optimism, self-esteem while scoring lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety and tension than other athletes & nonathletes (Dr. Joan Finn, Connecticut State University)
Tennis is the ultimate exercise – both mentally and physically Competitive tennis burns more calories than most other activities, including swimming, rowing, weightlifting, jazzercise, hiking & golf (Consumer Reports)
Tennis is the ultimate exercise – both mentally and physically Source: Dr. Jim Gavin, The Exercise Prescription
Tennis is the ultimate exercise – both mentally and physically Aerobic fitness Playing tennis burns fat, improves cardiovascular fitness and helps the body maintain higher energy levels. Anaerobic fitness Playing tennis builds muscle power, improves physical capacity. “If you start playing Tennis early and continue to play, it actually reduces your risk for a heart attack because of the cardiovascular workout it provides” —Dr. Scott Bautch of the American Occupational Health Council
Tennis is the ultimate exercise – both mentally and physically Agility: Tennis improves agility because it forces you to change direction as many as 5 times in 10 seconds during a typical point. Balance: balance while moving – is as important in everyday life as it is in sports. Coordination: Tennis develops incredible coordination Stamina: Tennis increases stamina
Tennis is the ultimate exercise – both mentally and physically Flexibility: Because tennis players continually stretch and maneuver to return the ball to their opponent they become more flexible. Bone strength: For years, scientists/physicians have recommended “impact” exercises for people who want to increase bone strength, density, and prevent osteoporosis
Health Benefits of Tennis Tennis is exercise, and exercise is important for your health Tennis singles: Vigorous intensity exercise (> 6 METs) Tennis doubles: Moderate intensity exercise (3-6 METs)
7 Ways Tennis Benefits The Mind And Body Improved bone health Less likely to gain weight Less likely to be depressed Improved function with osteoarthritis Reduced blood pressure Reduced diabetes risk Heart attack risk reduced TENNIS is the sport of a lifetime
Comparative Health Benefits Of Tennis People who play tennis three hours a week cut their risk of death from any cause in half
How Can Tennis Become a Model Sport? Spread the word: health benefits of tennis Tennis for the Health of It website: Public policy –Let’s Move –Wounded Warriors –Morehouse School of Medicine
How Can Tennis Become a Model Sport? Spread the word: health benefits of tennis International Model Health Care: –US Open Tennis Championships –USTA Pro Circuit Events Promote and develop our greatest asset: –The Developing Player
10 and Under Tennis As The Model Youth Sport 10U Tennis is the opportunity for our sport to get it right
USTA Programming Encourages PLAY and FUN
USTA Tennis Youth Symposium As National Governing Body of Tennis, we shape the health of competition & long-term athlete development Tennis is a late-specialization sport The first stage of all athlete development is FUNdamentals
Bottom Line We have the sport and the resources! Let’s promote TENNIS as the model sport for health and wellness!
Questions?