The OTA’s
mission was revised to include the phrase “tennis as part of a healthy
lifestyle” a few years ago and in keeping with that emphasis we have been
trying to disseminate an increasing amount of information of how tennis
contributes to a healthy lifestyle both in day to day practical terms and as
substantiated in medical studies.
Tennis Canada
is now also promoting the health benefits of tennis through a blog by Catherine
Cameron, which can be found on the Tennis Canada web site. Here is a sample blog post by Catherine for
you to enjoy.
Tennis
delivers health and happiness – try it and see for yourself
By Catherine
Cameron
Are
you among the hundreds of thousands of Canadians resolved to live a happier,
healthier, more active life this year? Is this the year you’ll make time for
more fun, spend more time with family and friends, or try something entirely
new?
Just
as making resolutions and setting realistic goals to achieve them is important,
so too is recognizing that every day offers a fresh start – so if you’ve
already broken your resolution (as most of us quickly do), don’t throw in the
towel… keep going. Carpe Diem!
I
recently shared 52
Reasons to be Active in 2015. Many of these reasons relate to proven physical and
mental health benefits. We know for example that exercise enhances heart
health, can help treat depression, helps prevent osteoporosis, and even helps
our kids perform better academically.
Today
however, I thought I’d address more specifically, the benefits of playing
tennis. I play because I love the sport, and not because I’m particularly good
at it. The “game” to me and my family, is usually an hour or two of rallying…
after which we usually have to hunt down a few of our balls on the far side of
the fence! But in playing at our community club each spring, summer, and
autumn, we’ve met people of all ages from our neighbourhood, enjoyed lessons
and camps, and have eased back into a favorite activity we’d put on hold upon
having kids.
Physical Health Benefits:
- Tennis
burns fat and improves cardiovascular fitness as most sports do – but tennis is
considered a lifetime sport and can be easily adapted to
the needs of players of all ages and abilities. Wheelchair tennis is
growing in popularity; larger balls make the game easier for the game’s
youngest players; and even those who are visually impaired can participate.
- Want
to tone up and build stronger muscles in your legs? Try
tennis! All those starts and stops required to play, will pay off!
- Hitting
balls while running; starts and stops; and acquiring the ability to change
direction quickly, will help you acquire a better sense of
athletic (dynamic) balance – a predictor of overall athletic
success no matter what your sport may be.
- Tennis increases
our agility as
we learn to turn, move our limbs, and pivot quickly. In everyday life,
improved agility can mean fewer falls, injuries, and time on the
sidelines.
- Regular tennis
participation promotes whole body coordination – the ability to
use our senses and body parts to perform tasks smoothly, efficiently, and
accurately. View this clip of Eugenie Bouchard in action and you’ll see what we mean.
- Tennis
enhances gross motor control by engaging the larger muscle groups of the body (i.e.
muscles required to get into position and to strike the ball). The next
time you play, take a moment to think about the various muscles you’re
engaging. Haven’t played in a while? You may be more aware of those you
engaged the very next day!
- Tennis
is a fantastic way to cross train, build speed, and boost
performance in other sports and activities. As a runner, tennis helps me
build leg, core, and lower body strength, which I also appreciate come ski
season.
- A
weight-bearing activity, tennis helps strengthens bones in
younger players and helps maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis
in older ones.
- As
players judge timing and distance, they improve their hand-eye
coordination which results in improved reaction times and
enhanced agility.
- The
bending, stretching, reaching, and maneuvering required to return the
ball, can help us increase and maintain flexibility.
Psychological/Mental Health Benefits:
- Exercise
is one of the best ways to reduce and manage stress.
- Tennis,
because it’s played with a partner or as a team, is a social game.
Many people have so much fun playing, that they forget
they’re also exercising.
- Regular tennis
participation improves self-confidence and can lead to a more
positive body image. As we improve at the game and start to see and feel
our bodies growing stronger, we begin to view ourselves more favourably.
- Exercise
makes us happier! Studies show
that regular physical activity gives people a more positive outlook. Beat
the blues and even treat mild-to-moderate depression with exercise.
- Tennis
teaches us teamwork –
an essential skill on the court playing doubles, or working with others at
school, in the workplace, on teams, etc.
- Tennis
teaches us to win and lose with dignity and grace – something we all need to be able to do
on and off the court.
- Tennis
embodies the values we admire most: grace, honour, sportsmanship, integrity, etc.
- Tennis
is FUN –
and when something’s fun, we want to stick with it. No wonder so many
Canadians enjoy tennis for life!
Tell
us what tennis means to you @Tennis_Canada and @Cate_Cameron #TENNISisCANADA
Catherine
Cameron
Active
Living Ambassador & Senior Writer, Tennis Canada
A
marketing communications professional with over twenty years of experience; a
former personal trainer; and a fitness instructor for 25 years, Catherine has
inspired thousands of Canadians of all ages and abilities to lead active,
healthy lives.
With a spirit
of adventure and a passion for active fun, Catherine enjoys running, cycling,
skiing, and playing tennis with her family. Learn more about
Catherine at www.catherinecameron.net and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
