That’s right! Regular tennis players live nearly 10 years longer on average compared to people who don’t exercise. According to the Copenhagen City Heart Study, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers tracked the exercise habits of 8,577 people over a period of up to 25 years. The study found tennis ranked number one among sports in terms of increasing life expectancy, adding an impressive 9.7 years compared to a sedentary lifestyle.
A few reasons tennis significantly extends your life are due to the wide variety of mental and physical engagements required. When playing tennis, you’re constantly moving at varying speeds, performing explosive bursts, quick directional changes, and sustained endurance exercises. Every shot is unique, keeping you fully engaged mentally and physically.
Additionally, the social aspect of tennis contributes greatly to longevity. The study indicated sports involving social interaction provided greater health benefits. Tennis players often enjoy a strong sense of community and camaraderie, which enhances emotional well-being and further supports a longer, healthier life.