One Sport Adds 9.7 Years to Lifespan... and Protects the Heart and Arteries

SadaNews - Recent studies reveal that regularly practicing one sport can add nearly a decade to a person's life, in addition to enhancing cardiovascular health, helping to lower cholesterol, and cleansing the arteries.

Medical research has shown that aerobic exercises (cardio), in their various forms, are a key element in enhancing physical fitness and improving mental health. Adults who engage in moderate-intensity physical activity regularly may extend their lives by an average of up to 7 years. However, tennis, in particular, has emerged in scientific reports as one of the most effective sports in this regard, potentially adding up to 9.7 years to the average life expectancy, according to studies.

Tennis... Physical and Mental Benefits

Natacha Tavarez, a certified personal trainer at "Muscle Booster," explains that "tennis is a vigorous and intensive sport that stimulates heart and vascular health and contributes to building muscle strength, especially grip strength, which is essential for daily activities."

She added: "Combining aerobic exercises with strength training is the ideal recipe for longevity and improving quality of life. Activities that incorporate both categories, like tennis, achieve these benefits comprehensively, especially when accompanied by a healthy lifestyle."

Tavarez emphasized that "the benefits are not limited to physical aspects; tennis is inherently a social sport that enhances mental health through interaction with others and enjoyment during play."

Protecting the Heart and Cleansing the Arteries

From a medical standpoint, it has been shown that aerobic exercises like tennis strengthen the heart muscle and improve the pumping of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. They also contribute to lowering blood pressure and enhancing circulatory performance.

Research further indicates that tennis helps raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which reduces the risk of fat accumulation in the arteries, thereby minimizing the likelihood of heart diseases.

Alternatives to Tennis for Those Unsuitable

While tennis is considered one of the best sports in terms of health impact, it is not the right choice for everyone. Tavarez points out that there are effective alternatives, such as badminton, which shares the racket gameplay nature and designated courts with tennis. While tennis requires greater physical effort and higher endurance, badminton also shows promising results, potentially adding about 6.2 years to the average life according to scientific data.

Recently, the sport of padel has emerged, which is a mix between tennis and squash, played on closed courts using smaller rackets. Squash is another option characterized by high movement intensity, where the ball is exchanged through walls instead of a net.