Why is table tennis (Ping Pong) one of the best exercises for people with Parkinson?

As a neurodegenerative condition, Parkinson demonstrates a variety of presentations including motor and non-motor such as mental and cognitive issues. Because there are no cures available, managing these presentations, especially motor presentations, has become a critical part for clinicians and people with Parkinson (PwP). American Physical Therapy Association published and recommended clinical practice guidelines as a non-pharmaceutical treatment for PwP to manage motor dysfunctions. In the meantime, exercise through playing table tennis (Ping Pong) has become more and more popular and is becoming one of the most effective, beneficial, and implementable exercises for PwP.

First and foremost, playing table tennis can help PwP improve motor presentations such as balancing, muscle strength, muscle memory, concentration, eyeball-paddle coordination, etc. A study conducted by a Japanese group recently recruited 12 PwP with Hoehn & Yahr stage ≤ 4 and investigated the effect of table tennis on motor and non-motor presentations. The table tennis program is one 6-hour exercise session, once a week for 6 months. The 6-hour exercise program includes in a sequential order stretch exercise, table tennis exercise, lunch break, another stretch exercise, table tennis game, and closing stretch exercise. The assessments were made at time points of baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The results have shown that playing table tennis has improved motor experiences of daily living (MDS-UPDRS part II) and motor examination (Part III) at both 3 months and 6 months for PwP.

Secondly, table tennis exercises can also improve cognitive and mental presentations for PwP. A group from Sweden recruited another set of 9 PwP and studied the potential physical effects of playing table tennis on individuals with Parkinson. The program is comprised of 2 table tennis training sessions per week for a total of 10 weeks. Each session lasts 2 hours and includes warm up, instruction, and a 10-minute break. The assessment is conducted within 2 weeks after the completion of the program. The study concludes: that not only is playing table tennis safe and feasible, but also it has the potential to enhance balance control, mental well-being (depression), and self-reported physical activity level for PwP.

Last, but not least, table tennis is a highly implementable type of exercise. A table (with or without a net), a couple of Ping Pong balls, a small room, and two pairs of paddles are all you need. A flexible schedule with any day, all days, or nights would allow PwP to play and exercise at any time. The convenience, easy accessibility, and affordability of this exercise make it a most practical and realistic exercise for PwP.