Embrace an Active Life After 60

Playing Pickleball

For pickleball players over 60, demographic data from 2022 showed that 32.7% of all core (frequent) players were over 65, making them the largest demographic group by age category after players 55 or over who made up 52% of core players. The sport is popular with seniors because it's a low-impact, social activity that enhances physical and cognitive health, although injuries like strains, sprains, and fractures are a growing concern for this age group.

 

Who is playing Pickleball?

 

Core vs. Casual Players: A 2022 report found that over half of all "core" players (those who play eight or more times a year) were 55 or older. 

Older Adults' Participation: About one-third of core players are 65 and older. 

 

Why do older adults play pickleball?

 

Low-Impact: The sport is considered low-impact, offering a good aerobic workout without as much stress on joints and muscles as other sports, according to MUSC Health. 

Social Engagement: Pickleball provides opportunities for socializing, which is crucial for the well-being of older adults. 

Cognitive and Physical Benefits: It helps improve physical health, including cardiovascular health, and can positively impact cognitive functions. 

 

Considerations for Seniors 

Increased Injuries: While low-impact, the sport's quick stops, starts, lunging, and twisting movements can lead to injuries, particularly fractures, sprains, and strains.

Aging Physiology: Older muscles are less strong and flexible, and bones can be more brittle, increasing the risk of falls and other injuries.

 

 

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum to entertain their bored children. They combined elements from badminton, tennis, and table tennis, using a badminton court, a plastic ball, and paddles to create the game. The sport gained popularity in the Pacific Northwest and was standardized with the formation of the United States Amateur Pickleball Association in 1984, spreading to all 50 states by 1990 and growing into a global sport.

 

The Invention 

Who: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum.

When: 1965.

Where: Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Why: To find a new activity for their bored children during the summer.