The game was invented in England towards the end of the 19th century-early days of the 20th century. One of the most popular name given to the sport at that time, Ping-Pong, was registered as a copyright by J. Jaques & Son Ltd in 1901. The trademark was then sold in the United States and when the sport became more popular in Europe, it was called table tennis, circa 1921-22.
The International Table Tennis Federation was founded in Berlin in 1926.
The first world championships were held in London in 1927.
Table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988.
300 million players worldwide.
Most popular indoor sport in the world.
Second most popular sport overall.
Many senses are stimulated and engaged while playing table tennis, that for this reason has been defined the ‘#1 Brain Sport’ (1,2).
Here is what happens (3,4):
a. The moment your partner’s racket contacts the ball your brain is receiving the first stimulus: auditory stimuli reach the brain up to 0.03 seconds faster than visual stimuli. A lighter brushing contact is indicative of a more friction contact, whereas a harder pounding sound is indicative of more force impressed to the ball.
b. Next is the visual stroke and direction of the ball coming toward you.
c. Next is the decision to execute a specific stroke. We need to have a specific position in relationship to the table and our entire body needs to prepare: weight loading and transfer from one leg to the other, elbow position, racket’s face angle.
d. Stroke execution: feel the contact on your paddle and decide speed, spin and power for the specific hit.
e. At last you need to finish the stroke deciding where to place the ball on the other side of the table and be ready for the ball coming back at you.
Table tennis, being a fast game of coordination, concentration and strategy, is associated with many benefits: improves reflexes, hand-eye coordination, brain blood flow, balance, flexibility; develops mental acuity; stimulates cardiovascular health, joint health, calories burning; is enjoyed by people of all age and physical abilities; is a form of stress relief; is easy to play; is affordable; is an across generation fun sport (2,3,5).
References
1. Amen DG. Making A Good Brain Great: The Amen Clinic Program for Achieving and Sustaining Optimal Mental Performance. 2005.
2. ‘The best sport for your brain’. Game Tables and More, June 28, 2017. www.gametablesonline.com/blog/best-sport-brain-table-tennis.
3. Suzuki W. Healthy Brain, Happy Life: A Personal Program to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better. 2015.
4. Breckus J. ESPN-Sport Science Table Tennis”. ESPN, June 30, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3fTnrUCLCc.
5. Dubina S, Boyd J, Jalli S. Why Table Tennis?. Larry Hodges edition, 2020.
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