Table tennis for Parkinson’s

When playing table tennis, many people with Parkinson’s flourish again and can forget their illness for a while. This is because the fast-paced game with the small white ball miraculously suppresses tremors, suddenly allows fast movements and dispels the grief that is often associated with this disease – at least for the moment of playing. Playing table tennis regularly is simply good for you, both physically and mentally. And: the game is a miracle weapon against social isolation and loneliness.

In our article, we would like to introduce you to the many wonderful effects of sport on the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. We also tell you how often you should play and how you can find a local group. It’s time for a battle!

What effect does table tennis have on Parkinson’s?

Frank Elstner, popular TV presenter and Parkinson’s sufferer himself, and many other people with the disease recommend regular table tennis for Parkinson’s sufferers. But why are many sufferers suddenly so enthusiastic ping pong fans? Because they notice many positive effects on various levels. Anyone who regularly picks up a paddle and ball and gets together for a game at a nearby table tennis table or in a club is actively doing something for their well-being. Even if there are not yet many studies, Parkinson’s sufferers often notice these positive effects of table tennis on their disease:

• Improving mobility
• Acceleration of reflex movements
• Improving the slowness of movements
• Strengthening the muscles
• Reduction of increased muscle tension and relief of muscle pain
• Attenuation of the tremor
• Improving coordination (especially eye-hand coordination)
• Reduction of feelings of loneliness
• Adopting a more upright posture
• Improvement in mental well-being, including forgetting the illness during the game
• Strengthening the balance
• Relief from other accompanying complaints such as constipation
• Improvements in speaking, writing and dressing
• Help with the resolution of freezing moments (movement blockages)
• Strengthening willpower
• Increase attention, concentration and memory
• Reducing the dose of medication directly after the training session
• Slowing down the progression of the disease

Why is table tennis suitable for treating Parkinson’s disease?

Many sports have a positive effect on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. However, table tennis seems to be particularly suitable for Parkinson’s sufferers, so it is recommended as a supplementary component of therapy. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, everyone is familiar with this sport, probably even from their own childhood experience. It also doesn’t take much time or intensive training to learn this sport. This means that even people who have not done any sport for a long time can easily start training and enjoy it right from the start.

Advantages: low risk of injury and a variety of movements

As the risk of injury from table tennis is very low, it is particularly interesting for people with Parkinson’s disease. This is because patients already have an increased risk of injury in their daily lives, for example from falls, due to the many symptoms such as impaired vision, dizziness and balance problems. Table tennis also has the advantage that you perform a wide variety of movements during the game, which stretches and strengthens the whole body. By constantly moving forwards, backwards and sideways, players also train their balance.

Positive effects through fast play, community and ball noise

The speed of the sport also has advantages: the lightning-fast reaction to the ball helps Parkinson’s sufferers to counteract the slowing down of movement and increase their concentration. And even the clicking sound of the ball can benefit those affected, especially those who often suffer from freezing. This refers to movement blockages that prevent those affected from walking, for example. The sound of the ball now acts as an acoustic signal to initiate the desired movement.

Last but not least, being part of a special training group for those affected is beneficial for the mental well-being of people with a neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s. This is because you can share your experiences with other people in a similar way to a self-help group. This is because here you can talk to other people about your condition in a similar way to a self-help group, with the only difference being that you can actively do something about the symptoms and have fun at the same time.

Where can Parkinson’s patients play table tennis?

Of course, you can meet up with friends or your partner for a game at a nearby table tennis table. However, table tennis is particularly effective for many sufferers if they play the sport regularly in a club together with other sufferers. The association “PingPongParkinson e. V.” offers an interactive map on its homepage with locations throughout Germany where such training sessions take place under the guidance of specially trained volunteer coaches. Here you can see where there is a group near you. More locations are to be added in the future.

What is table tennis about in these groups?

The players in these special table tennis groups are not in a performance competition, the aim is to work together. The focus here is therefore on health. The aim is to alleviate unpleasant symptoms, break through loneliness and have fun playing. The idea of “PingPongParkinson” is that everyone plays with everyone else, regardless of their level of play. This is why the playing partners are changed frequently during training. When the free game is on the program, however, players of roughly equal strength can come together so that the balance of power is balanced and the joy of playing continues to increase.

Table tennis for Parkinson’s: a global trend

Using table tennis as an effective treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms is becoming increasingly popular – in many countries around the world. The original idea came from the US musician Nenad Bach, a native of Croatia. He noticed the many wonderful effects that table tennis had on his Parkinson’s disease and later founded the “PingPongParkinson USA” association. This sport enabled him to manage his symptoms to such an extent that he was able to play music and pick up the guitar again, for example.

There are now clubs worldwide under this umbrella organization, and the association has 2,000 members in Germany. Table tennis championships are now even held specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease, the first of which was held in 2019. In 2023, players from 22 different countries came together for this event.

How often should you play table tennis with Parkinson’s?

Many sufferers feel relief from their symptoms if they train once a week. However, it is ideal if you can make it to the table tennis table two or three times a week. Even if you find it difficult because you may feel better when you are physically at rest, it is definitely worth it. The movements are good for both your body and your mind and can sustainably improve your well-being in everyday life. The founder of the “PingPong Parkinson USA” association plays three times a week and said in an interview that his symptoms are around half as severe.