Table Tennis and Science

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Besides being played for fun or competition, table tennis can be of great support to people experiencing cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and ADHD. Worldwide, there are several organization utilizing table tennis in this way.

• Ping Pong for Good (1) is a health and wellness campaign raising awareness about the mental, physical and social benefits of playing table tennis as physical therapy to treat and slow down the progression of brain diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis. 

• In a 6-month prospective trial, a table tennis program showed improvement in motor and non-motor functions of patients with PD (2). The patients participated in 5-hour exercise sessions once a week for 6 months. They were then assessed with MDS Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) parts I-IV. UPDRS part II, sub scores of speech; saliva and drooling; dressing; handwriting; doing hobbies and other activities; getting out of bed, a car or a deep chair; walking and balance were significantly improved. Among MDS-UPDRS part III, sub scores of facial expression, rigidity, postural stability, posture, bradykinesia and kinetic tremor of the hands were significantly improved.   

• Another study from the Karolinska University Hospital (3) demonstrated that table tennis training is safe and feasible, and may have the potential to improve balance control, mental well-being and self-reported physical activity level in individuals with PD. However, further studies were suggested before table tennis can be considered as an evidence based recommendation.  

• Ping Pong Parkinson (PPP) (4) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Pleasantville, New York. Their model, based on the concept of neuroplasticity, was established in 2017 with the goal of halting the progression of PD utilizing table tennis as a form of physical therapy. In 2019, with the support of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), PPP organized the first ITTF Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships in New York. The second ITTF Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships were held in Berlin in 2021, and the third event will be hosted in Croatia in October 2022.

References

1. Ping Pong for Good. www.pingpongforgood.org. 

2. Inoue K, Fujioka S, Suenaga M, et al. Table tennis exercise for patients with Parkinson disease: a prospective pilot study. America Academy of Neurology, 72nd ANNUAL MEETING. Toronto, Apr 25, 2020. 

3. Olsson K, Franzén E, Johansson A. (2020). A Pilot Study of the Feasibility and Effects of Table Tennis Training in Parkinson Disease. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2020:2(3),100064. 

4. Ping Pong Parkinson. https://pingpongparkinson.com. 

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects 2.5% of adults (1).  It is one of the most common mental disorders affecting 8.5% of children (2), more common in boys than girls.      

• With the most common symptoms being lack of attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, ADHD is most often diagnosed at school, with these kids disrupting the classroom or causing problems with schoolwork flow.      

• Many studies have been able to show how exercise and physical activity decrease the severity of symptoms and improve cognitive functioning in children with ADHD (3,4). Specifically, they increase dopamine, regulate norepinephrine, drive the cerebellum to lesser fidgeting and hyperactivity, lessen medication side effects and improve motor skills.  

 References    

1. Simon V , Czobor P , Bálint S , et al: Prevalence and correlates of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity  disorder: a meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry194(3):204–211, 2009. 

2. Danielson, ML, et al. Prevalence of Parent-Reported ADHD Diagnosis and Associted Treatment Among US CHildren and Adolescent, 2016. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, Volume 47, 2018 - Issue 2. 

3. Smith AL, Hoza B, Linnea K, et al. Pilot physical activity intervention reduces severity of ADHD symptoms in young children. J Atten Disord. 2013 Jan;17(1):79-82. 

4. Hoza B. Peer Functioning in Children With ADHD. Academic Pediatrics, January 01, 2017, Volume 7, Issue1, Supplement, 101:106.