Eye on the Ball: Table Tennis as a Pro-Health Form of Leisure-Time Physical Activity

Elżbieta Biernat, Sonia Buchholtz and Justyna Krzepota
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Elżbieta Biernat: Department of Tourism, Collegium of World Economy, Warsaw School of Economics, Al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland
Sonia Buchholtz: Department of Economics I, Collegium of Economic Analysis, Warsaw School of Economics, Al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland
Justyna Krzepota: Department of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, University of Szczecin, Al. Piastów 40b, blok 6, 71-065 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: Background: The article is devoted to an analysis of leisure-time (amateur) table tennis in Poland, its practitioners and the regularities of their activity. Methods: The study examined 12,406 persons in 4689 households (representative for the population). We used binary logistic regression and descriptive statistics in order to identify the patterns and determinants of table-tennis practice in Poland. Results: Table tennis is practised by 2.8% of population, and by 6.6% of physically active Poles. Among adults it is predominantly an occasional recreational game, not performed as a sport per se. Among children, it is often the part of physical education (PE) classes. Statistically significant predictors of contact with table tennis are: gender, age, income, place of residence, children in the household and being a student. Conclusions: Due to the undeniable benefits of table tennis (health, pleasure, personal and social development), the sport is recommended for use as a tool in increasing the (overall low) physical activity of Poles. Its popularization requires promotion in the media (as a health-oriented activity) and using various channels, including public places, the workplace (as part of corporate social responsibility) and physical education classes at school.

Keywords: table tennis; leisure-time physical activity; amateur sport; Poland; binary logistic regression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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