by Kelly Campbell
As picklers, we all know that pickleball obviously makes us happier and healthier, but whether that’s mostly from our personal love for the game or from the act of playing pickleball itself can be hard to say. While we know that any type of physical exercise is known to improve mental health, there hasn’t been much concrete information about pickleball’s effects on mental health specifically––until now. Need another reason to justify your pickleball obsession to family or friends? Here it is.
In October, a study came out that detailed pickleball health benefits using data from Apple Watch users. The study confirmed that not only did pickleball players experience better metabolic and cardiovascular health from its impressive workout, but they also reported less depression across the board.
We agree that the pickleball phenomenon is worth taking a closer look at. It’s safe to say that no sport in recent years has had even close to the same amount of buzz and growth as pickleball. The numbers speak for themselves––according to the SFIA, pickleball participation has grown an average of 158.6% over the last 3 years. Today, about 37 million people play, and it continues to be the fastest-growing sport in the US.
The Apple Heart and Movement Study (AHMS) compared pickleball and tennis using data from Apple Watch users who elected to be included in the study. The participants reported workouts, done for at least 10 minutes, labeled either pickleball or tennis between January 1st, 2021, and August 31st, 2023. Throughout the study, participant physical fitness was studied and compared. All participants were also invited to complete a quarterly health survey. As the study progressed, so did pickleball growth. While tennis participants stayed stable year to year and season to season, pickleball growth among users continued to increase, regardless of the season. By July 2023, the number of pickleball players surpassed tennis.
According to the study, self-reported depressive symptoms were 60% lower among frequent pickleball-playing Apple Watch users compared to those who did not play. The obvious positive effects of pickleball are no secret––moving our bodies more, encouraging us to engage in healthy competition, creating a positive social outlet, and increasing our connection with others––these all make us healthier and happier.
So what is it about pickleball specifically that is so good for our mental health?
“The potential reasons for this observation could be attributed to several different reasons, including the sport’s impact on hormones, neuromuscular coordination, resilience, and more,” principal investigator of the study Dr. Calum MacRae, a cardiologist and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, said to HuffPost.
Pickleball seems to be the perfect storm for maxing out the positive benefits of physical activity by combining the best effects and rolling them all into one sport.
A Comprehensive List of Pickleball Qualities That Work Together Toward Health:
- Aerobic activity (like pickleball) releases endorphins, which boosts mood and reduces stress.
- According to the study, pickleball players played on average 90 minutes per session, which is more than half of the weekly recommended time.
- Inclusivity––pickleball is safe for all ages and skill levels. This makes it easy to find someone to play with, too.
- Social connection––pickleball encourages community building and social interaction, which is good for mental health.
- Pickleball can also serve as a project that provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which is also shown to have positive effects on mental health. Playing a sport and wanting to get better at it encourages goal-setting and practice. Winning and improving fosters a sense of pride, accomplishment, and positive self-esteem.
- Natural light is important to our overall health. Getting enough natural daylight leads to better sleep quality. Pickleball is a sport that encourages participants to get outside.
- Pickleball is also linked to better brain health and cognitive function because it requires players to think quickly and strategically. Pickleball is a mind exercise in addition to a physical exercise because it uses problem-solving. Research suggests that playing pickleball will decrease the likelihood of cognitive decline, boost memory and processing speed, and decrease anxiety.
It’s obvious that we’re not going to stop dinking any time soon either way, but it’s always good to hear that the sport we love so much loves us back. Keep this study handy for your next pickleball elevator pitch at the dinner table.
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