net and small paddle, pickleball
can be played with single players
but almost always has two team
players to a side, thus limiting the
amount of movement required.
Gone are the days of endless
dashing and slicing. But make no
mistake: despite its silly name,
this is no wimpy sport. You’ll
get whatever level of workout
you need, all while cultivating an
indelible smile on your face.
Scoring is a bit nutty and is
often the source of much laughter
(and a touch of confusion) for
those of us proud to call ourselves
seniors. More often than not
you may find yourself and your
partners attempting to remember
who served the last ball, so be
sure to include your sense of
humor on your equipment list.
CANCER
SURVIVORS:
BY KHEVIN BARNES
W
ith an estimated 2.5 million
players, the game of pickleball
has been touted by the Sports &
Fitness Industry Association (SFIA)
as the fastest growing sport in
North America. The U.S. Pickleball
Association calls the game a
“highly contagious, progressive and
incurable disease.”
As a breast cancer survivor and
pickleball player, I have to agree
with the “contagious” description.
Combining fast action, hand/
eye coordination, comedy and
camaraderie, this is truly an addictive
sport where winning takes a back
seat to just participating.
52
Exercise Got
You in a Pickle?
The popularity of the game is due
to several factors. It’s a game that
favors seniors in its design with a
reduced demand for running. The
“baby boomer” generation is entering
retirement, and those of us who have
been active all our lives (and those
who are new to sports but looking
for something that doesn’t require
good knees, great coordination or
body armor) may find this exciting
paddle game to be just the ticket to
inspire a good workout along with
the mental stimulation that anyone
over 55 can appreciate.
Easier than a traditional tennis
game, with a smaller court, lower
TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 724.942.0940 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM
Because pickleball uses the smaller
court and underhand serves, which
are easier on the shoulder, the game
is a good fit for seniors and a good
workout, providing healthy fun that’s
right in line with an active adult
lifestyle.
If you’re a cancer survivor like I
am, you likely know the importance
of light exercise as part of our health
and healing. And be forewarned:
You will laugh a lot. The power of
laughter to elevate our mood, lower
our blood pressure, decrease stress
and support proper breathing is well-
documented by medical science.