A graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, Roger Clarke currently attends National Louis University as a graduate student in education. Outside of his educational pursuits, Roger Clarke gives tennis lessons to students of all ages at various tennis clubs in the Chicago suburbs.
One of the world’s most popular sports, tennis offers a host of physical, mental, and social benefits to people of all ages and genders. Though some may associate the intensity of competitive tennis with younger players, tennis provides numerous benefits for older people as well. Listed below are just a few of the ways tennis can benefit senior citizens.
1. Improved bone density. Bone loss and osteoporosis are significant concerns for older people, and doctors recommend taking up activities that will keep one's bones healthy and strong. As an active sport, tennis can help prevent bone issues. For example, one study of women over the age of 65 found that the chances of suffering a fracture dropped by one-third for physically active women.
2. Social opportunities. Social activity is an important part of one's mental well-being, but as people age they tend to have less opportunities to socialize with friends. Playing a regular tennis match or joining a tennis club offers social engagement.
3. Improved mental performance. Cognitive decline is also a part of aging, and the odds of cognitive illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, increase with age. Studies have shown that playing structured and physical sports like tennis can help keep mental function sharp and help combat the mental slowdown that comes with age.
