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Can Tennis Really Add 9.7 Years To Your Life? Science Says Maybe
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A study comparing sports found that tennis players lived, on average, 9.7 years longer. Badminton was linked to 6.2 years, soccer 4.7, cycling 3.7, and swimming 3.4.
'At age 72, after nearly four decades away, I returned to tennis lessons. I know I won't be the next Roger Federer, but the thrill of striking the ball again was irresistible. My story is no longer unusual" says Alex Clintt from Illionis, US. A growing number of older Americans are rediscovering or even beginning sports later in life and loving it.
An Ipsos survey in 2025 found that 43 percent of Americans over 60 reported playing a sport. Participation in the National Senior Games, where athletes 50 and older compete in more than 25 events, has quadrupled since 1987, reaching nearly 12,000 in 2023.
Tennis, in particular, has seen strong growth: the U.S. Tennis Association counted 4.3 million players aged 55 and older who took to the court at least once in 2024.
Pamela Peeke, physician and researcher with the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation, believes these numbers understate the trend. 'You can extrapolate from the data available that more seniors in general are getting out there," she said, pointing out that many play informally, outside leagues or tournaments.
Why They Play
A 2023 systematic review of 30 studies, most from the U.S., explored why people 55 and older take up sports. Researchers found five key motivations: to maintain health, make friends, join a community, achieve a sense of accomplishment, and compete.
The satisfaction of self-improvement was another common thread. 'I can relate. Picking up tennis again wasn't about medals, it was about chasing the 'high" I used to feel and proving to myself that I could still improve" a senior player said.
Researchers noted that sport in older age 'may contribute to the experience of successful aging" while challenging stereotypes of frailty.
The Science of Benefits
The physical and mental health benefits of sport for older adults are significant. A 2023 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that for those 60 and older, playing sports improved cardiorespiratory fitness, boosted mental health, enhanced overall function, and reduced body fat.
'Movement is medicine, but movement in sport is a double dose," said Andrew Walker, director of health and well-being at the National Senior Games Association.
The impact can extend to longevity. A study comparing sports found that tennis players lived, on average, 9.7 years longer than sedentary individuals. Badminton was linked to 6.2 years, soccer 4.7, cycling 3.7, and swimming 3.4. While healthier people may be more likely to play in the first place, the association is striking.
Preventing Injuries
Of course, there are risks. Older athletes need to take precautions. Doctors advise consulting a physician, pacing yourself, listening to your body, and allowing for recovery. 'Never push through pain," experts caution.
For those new to sport or out of shape, a beginner camp say, pickleball offers a safe start. 'Be patient with yourself," said Dr. Peeke, herself a Senior Olympic triathlete. 'Nobody needs to shoot from zero to 100 in the first week."
She adds that nostalgia can be risky: 'Sure, you ran a mile in five minutes at 17, but at 65 your body will need to re-adapt. That's normal. Accept it." Even lifelong athletes must temper expectations. Performance will decline with age, but the goal is to decline slowly.
'You're never too old to play sports," said Dr. Asad Siddiqi, assistant professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. 'It's all trial and error. Just match yourself to the sport right for you, one you love and are able to play."
Tools to Measure Fitness
To help seniors assess readiness, the National Senior Games Association developed the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE). Created by Becca D. Jordre, professor of physical therapy at the University of South Dakota, the SAFE combines a health questionnaire with physical fitness tests.
It draws on more than a decade of research on older athletes, linking their health to risks like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and falls. 'It's available for free to anyone," said Jordre. 'And remember: it's far more dangerous to sit all day than to go cycling or play volleyball."
Most senior athletes are not training for Wimbledon or Olympic podiums. They play for fun, fitness, and fulfillment. As Meredith Griffin of the YMCA, a competitive swimmer at 55, put it: 'If you participate in sports long enough, you'll hit all three stages: striving, thriving, and surviving. The key is just to go for it."
Striving, Thriving, Surviving
In India, where life expectancy is rising and the senior population is projected to cross 330 million by 2050, conversations about healthy aging are no longer optional, they are urgent. Traditionally, older Indians have been expected to slow down, but rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, and sedentary lifestyles show the risks of inactivity.
Introducing sports into later life is more than recreation; it's a public health strategy. With pickleball clubs mushrooming in cities, senior marathons drawing crowds, and yoga already a global export, encouraging Indians over 60 to stay active through structured sports could ease the healthcare burden, extend quality of life, and challenge age-old stereotypes of what it means to 'grow old" in India.
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