Playing tennis could beat going to the gym when it comes to warding off muscle and bone problems later in life, according to a groundbreaking new study. So-called ‘Musculoskeletal’ problems are a major issue in the UK, with 1 in 4 of the adult population affected. They include issues like joint pain from osteoarthritis, bones weakened by osteoporosis as well as the muscle-wasting condition sarcopenia.
A new study by experts at Liverpool Hope University suggests there could be a simple method of preventing musculoskeletal conditions, particularly among those aged 50 and over – and that’s playing tennis. Sports and Exercise scientist Dr. Matthew Jackson compared two healthy groups – one who played tennis regularly and another who got their NHS-recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week through activities like running, cycling, and going to the gym.
Dr. Jackson, an exercise physiologist, found that the tennis players enjoyed ‘significantly greater’ musculoskeletal health compared with the regular ‘keep fit’ group. The findings suggest tennis is an excellent activity mode to promote musculoskeletal health and should therefore be more frequently recommended as a viable alternative to existing physical activity guidelines.
According to the NHS, around 9.6 million adults and 12,000 children in the UK suffer from one of the many musculoskeletal issues. It’s also a huge drain on the NHS, accounting for almost a third – 30 percent – of all GP consultations. But Dr. Jackson says a simple change of sport could alter the landscape of musculoskeletal health in Britain.
The study, just published in the journal Sports Health, involved 90 participants – 43 tennis players and 47 regular exercisers – aged between 18 and 65. Their ‘musculoskeletal function’ was measured through a series of tests that analyzed body composition, upper body strength, lower body strength, and muscle fatigue.
Unique Benefits of Tennis
Dr. Jackson, based at Liverpool Hope University’s state-of-the-art School of Health Sciences, says there’s something unique about tennis that makes it so beneficial. As we age, we lose muscle mass and bone mineral density over time. But when you reach 50 years old, the process accelerates much quicker and we need to target and advise this demographic about the dangers.
Tennis is great as an all-round sport. It targets the cardiovascular system but also improves your muscle mass and bone mineral density because it’s a weight-bearing sport that incorporates aspects of power and strength. Equally important is the social aspect of playing tennis – and if you enjoy it, you’re more likely to keep doing it.
Reversing Muscle Loss
Dr. Jackson says muscle-wasting sarcopenia can be particularly debilitating, as patients lose the strength to perform their normal daily routine, activities like doing the weekly shop – and even bathing can become difficult. There’s an assumption that you can’t do anything with those suffering severe muscle loss in their later years. But sarcopenia is reversible.
The participants in the study all underwent testing at the School of Health Sciences laboratories at Liverpool Hope University over the course of around two-and-a-half hours. There’s a common misconception that tennis is for rich people. But it’s really not expensive to be a member of your local tennis club. And, as a University, we’re engaging with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to get more facilities opened to the public for free.
It’s also important to note that the actual time spent exercising between the two study groups didn’t differ significantly. But tennis is something you’re likely to play for a little longer, with all the associated health gains.
