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<\/p>\nTable tennis is a fast-paced game that demands agility, precision, and a knack at predicting where the ball will return. Table tennis, or ping pong, is also a great way to improve life expectancy. No we\u2019re not making this up, it\u2019s actually been proven!<\/p>\n
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An extensive study was done in the home of Table Tennis, China of course. Researchers monitored areas such as heart function, eyesight, and reaction time. Here\u2019s the sweet and short excerpt from the study:<\/p>\n
\u201cOur research indicates: frequent table tennis exercises help to advance heart function, eyesight, and reaction ability of hands and eyes. Meanwhile, it is proved that table tennis activities play as a key role in carrying out the strategy of national sports.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Did you know: Table tennis can be used to treat alhzheimers and dementia. \u00a0Learn more<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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Table Tennis : Health and Wellness<\/h2>\n
1. Improved Alertness<\/h3>\n
Table tennis is a back and forth game that requires high focus. Because of this, your state of awareness is heightened when playing. Remember, your brain is just a muscle so you have to make sure you exercise it! \u00a0Just see what Dr. Wendy Suzuki<\/a> had to say about it!<\/p>\n
2. Fast Twitch Muscles<\/h3>\n
Fast twitch muscles are associated with agility and fast reflexes. The muscles are not used during long and strenuous workout like weight-lifting. They are only exercised during short, quick bursts<\/a> of activity. Table tennis has a lot of those.<\/p>\n
[READ: Learn how Jan-Ove Waldner<\/a> went from a table tennis rookie to a ping pong legend!]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
3. Weight Loss<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t brush ping pong off as a sport for the meek. It\u2019s an interactive and intense game that requires lots of energy! Table tennis is a great way to lose weight. Why? The adrenaline of the game takes your focus off thoughts of \u201cam I almost done,\u201d \u201cwhy does it have to be so hot today,\u201d or it\u2019s not worth it!\u201d Have fun, learn a new skill, and lose weight all at the same time!<\/p>\n
Obesity is proven to reduce life span and can lead to a handful of other health related conditions including diabetes, heart disease, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, gout, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. Finding interest in ping pong can give you a new reason to look forward to your daily exercise.<\/p>\n
4. Emotional Wellness<\/h3>\n
Being active and engaging in a fun match can elevate your mood. The social interaction (albeit with an opponent) helps build relationships and can be a great way to connect with others. In fact, it\u2019s a proven fact that men prefer non-direct communication. Stress and depression can lead to weight loss, sleeping disorders, accelerated aging, gastrointestinal problems, and even premature death. Live a long life, play ping pong!<\/p>\n
5. Cardiovascular Exercise<\/h3>\n
Table tennis requires you to move back and forth at a moment\u2019s notice. This causes you heart to pump at accelerated rates as compared to a steady jog that increase stamina. This keeps your heart healthy and strong, lowering your risk of various cardiovascular conditions such as coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, and heart failure.<\/p>\n
Before getting started, make sure you read these tips to pick the right ping pong paddle<\/a>!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Sources:<\/em><\/p>\n
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- Web MD. \u201cHealth Risks Linked to Obesity.\u201d Retrieved on 6\/5\/2014.<\/li>\n
- Table Tennis Department, Shanghai Institute of Physical Education, Shanghai China, 200438. \u201c38 Analysis and Research on the Benefits of Table Tennis Activities in Improving the Fitness of Teenagers.\u201d Y.J. Wang, W.Q. Wang, W. Liu, B.L. Dong.<\/li>\n
- Discovery. \u201c10 Ways Men and Women Communicate Differently.\u201d Retrieved on 6\/5\/2014.<\/li>\n
- Web MD. \u201c10 Fixable Stress-Related Health Problems<\/a>.\u201d Retrieved on 6\/5\/2014.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Table tennis is a fast-paced game that demands agility, precision, and a knack at predicting where the ball will return. Table tennis, or ping pong, is also a great way to improve life expectancy. No we\u2019re not making this up, … Continue reading