Pickleball for Inactive Mid-Life and Older Adults in Rural Utah: A Feasibility Study

Paige Wray, Callahan K. Ward, Cindy Nelson, Sandra H. Sulzer, Christopher J. Dakin, Brennan J. Thompson, Matthew Vierimaa, Debasree Das Gupta and David A. E. Bolton
Additional contact information
Paige Wray: Department of Home and Community, Utah State University Extension, Monticello, San Juan County, UT 84535, USA
Callahan K. Ward: Department of Home and Community, Utah State University Extension, Panguitch, Garfield County, UT 84759, USA
Cindy Nelson: Department of Home and Community, Utah State University Extension, Beaver, Beaver County, UT 84713, USA
Sandra H. Sulzer: Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Christopher J. Dakin: Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Brennan J. Thompson: Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Matthew Vierimaa: School of Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
Debasree Das Gupta: Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
David A. E. Bolton: Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: Many diseases, disabilities, and mental health conditions associated with aging can be delayed or prevented through regular exercise. Several barriers to exercise, many of which are exacerbated in rural communities, prevent mid-life and older adults from accessing its benefits. However, recently, a racquet sport named pickleball has become popular among older adults, and it appears to overcome some of these barriers. We conducted a feasibility study to evaluate the impact of a six-week pickleball intervention on measures of muscle function, cognitive function, perceived pain, and cardio-metabolic risk, as well as several psychosocial factors contributing to adherence in sedentary rural participants. Participants improved their vertical jump, cognitive performance, and reported a decrease in self-reported pain, suggesting improved physical and cognitive health across the sample. Participants also reported high levels of satisfaction and demonstrated good adherence over the duration of the study. Perhaps of greatest value was the overwhelmingly positive response from participants to the intervention and follow-up interviews reporting a desire to continue pickleball play beyond the study period. Overall, pickleball appears to be a promising intervention to, (1) elicit functional- and cognitive-related improvements, and (2) motivate mid-life and older adults to adhere to exercise sufficiently long to benefit their health.

Keywords: pickleball; older adults; mid-life adults; exercise adherence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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