Pilot research showed that older individuals participated in pickleball to meet their weekly minimum requirement of moderate-intensity physical activity.

Researchers wanted to know whether older individuals who participated in pickleball were engaging in enough moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for cardiovascular health.

This pilot study provides objective evidence supporting pickleball participation as an activity to encourage physical activity among older adults and help meet CDC recommendations.

Researchers tracked the physical activity of 33 participants who were 65 years and older and who played pickleball at least twice weekly using Fitbits. Steps were recorded along with physical activity intensity levels during two-week study periods.

On average, pickleball players achieved 3,477 more steps per day and spent more time engaging in “fairly active” or “very active” physical activities.

Average pickleball sessions provided an average of over 68 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity with 3 increased heart rate zones represented. Furthermore, an average pickleball session lasted an estimated 86.77 minutes per session on average.

Aging healthily depends on three essential elements. Physical fitness and engagement in moderate-intensity physical activities that elevate heart rate (known as moderate to vigorous physical activity). Social engagement, life satisfaction and well-being also play an essential role.