Serve, swing, live longer? <\/p>\n
Turns out, chasing a little yellow ball might just help you turn back the clock.<\/p>\n
Research suggests<\/a> that those who play tennis regularly may add nearly 10 years to their lives \u2014 outperforming the longevity gains from badminton, cycling, swimming, jogging and even soccer.<\/p>\n Tennis has a unique blend of physical and mental health benefits. MDBPIXS \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n The game is growing fast.<\/p>\n Last year, one in every twelve Americans grabbed a racquet and hit the court \u2014 the highest participation rate on record, according to the United States Tennis Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cTennis is a sport that is unique because people of all ages play it, from age two to 92 or older, and that makes it accessible to a lot of people,\u201d Dr. Melissa Leber<\/a>, director of emergency department sports medicine at Mount Sinai Health System, told The Post.<\/p>\n Just look at the US Open. <\/p>\n As fans descend on Flushing Meadows\u2013Corona Park for the final Grand Slam event of the year, they\u2019ll have a chance to catch Venus Williams, who is making her return to the court<\/a> after a two-year absence.<\/p>\n At 45, she\u2019s the oldest singles player at the tournament in decades.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a beginner or a seasoned player, Leber said tennis provides several unique health advantages over other forms of exercise.<\/p>\n Venus Williams is appearing at her first Grand Slam tournament in two years. Andrew Schwartz\/SIPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Muscle strength \u2014\u00a0more stability<\/p>\n \u201cTennis is a full-body workout. It includes the whole kinetic chain from head to toe,\u201d she explained. \u201cYou\u2019re working out your shoulders, your core, your legs, your back, plus it has cardiovascular and resistance training.\u201d<\/p>\n That kind of movement helps slow the natural loss of muscle mass with age, strengthening both your upper and lower body \u2014 and delivering benefits that extend well beyond the court.<\/p>\n \u201cTennis works on strengthening the muscles that, in turn, help your balance and prevent falls as you get older,\u201d Leber said.<\/p>\n Falls are one of the leading causes of injury for adults 65 and older, with more than a quarter reporting at least one each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Keeping bones in working order<\/p>\n As a weight-bearing, high-impact sport, regular tennis can also help maintain strong bones, which naturally weaken over time.<\/p>\n One 2015 study<\/a> found that older men who played competitive tennis had 23% more bone mass than those who were inactive. And for postmenopausal women \u2014 who are at greater risk for osteoporosis \u2014 long-term tennis play has been linked to improved bone health<\/a>.<\/p>\n If a fall does happen, higher bone density can also reduce the risk of fractures and other injuries that could otherwise lead to long-term complications and reduced mobility.<\/p>\n Tennis can improve both upper and lower body strength. Getty Images<\/p>\n On-court social hour<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just about the physical perks \u2014 tennis is social, which is good for mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cAs you get older, a lot of people play doubles more than singles, so that kind of communication and social atmosphere is amazing,\u201d Leber said.<\/p>\n That sense of connection becomes especially important with age. Studies show<\/a> that roughly 1 in 3 older adults in the US are socially isolated \u2014 a risk factor for early death<\/a>, dementia, heart disease and stroke<\/a>.<\/p>\n And from making snap decisions on where to place a shot to staying alert throughout a long rally, tennis can help keep your brain sharp.<\/p>\n Getting started? Make the most of it<\/p>\n Before you hit the court, Leber recommends:<\/p>\n\n