How Playing Ping Pong Keeps Your Brain Young

In this post, we’re revealing the impressive brain health impact of the seemingly simple game of table tennis. Ping pong is an ever-popular sport played internationally, which is often cited as a great way of improving physical fitness - and having fun! However, it requires expert concentration and skill, and has been shown to have a myriad of brain-boosting benefits. Let’s explore.

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Table tennis may seem like a straightforward concept at first glance, but it involves juggling a number of tasks all at once, and under time pressure. What does this mean for the brain? Well, it means that multiple parts of the brain are being activated during play, which is a well-documented way of promoting better brain health. In fact, one study performed in 2014 involving 164 women found that ping pong had a stronger positive effect on cognitive function than other forms of exercise, such as walking, gymnastics, and resistance training.

What else does the multi-tasking aspect of table tennis mean for the brain?

• An upsurge in blood flow to the brain

• An increase in the levels of what’s known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which plays a significant part in neuronal development and function

• Higher levels of neurogenesis within the hippocampus (the forming of new neural connections within the brain’s learning and memory center.)

All of this, in turn, increases our ability for decision-making and means greater prefrontal cortex activity, and therefore better memory function and recall.

Co-ordinate and concentrate

The fast-paced game of table tennis requires speedy reflexes for opponents to accurately track the trajectory of the ball and respond accordingly. This repeated back-and-forth practice enhances the brain’s ability to process visual information and pair it with appropriate motor responses.

The careful precision required to engage in ping pong demands a maintained level of awareness and heightened focus. Over time, practice can help the brain to further hone these crucial skills, which are invaluable for a vast amount of our daily functions.

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And the dynamic sport is an excellent one to keep up with, because it promotes improved mental ability even as we age. It not only improves our brain’s overall resilience, but can also lead to a lower risk of several neurogenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

What’s more, it endorses brain-healthy social connections and helps to therapeutically reduce stress and depression. So get playing!