Table Tennis is in the news again, having recently had a mini-moment with the film Marty Supreme. This time the game made the national news on World Parkinson’s Day on 11 April, with an item extolling the power of ping pong in moderating the symptoms of that most cruel neurological condition, which robs many sufferers of their balance, flexibility and ability to walk. Apparently, table tennis’s combination of movement and strategic thinking has beneficial effects on both mobility and mental wellbeing. How much strategic thinking is actually deployed in our group is debatable, given that much of our brainpower is concentrated on trying just to hit the damn ball and land it on the right side of the table, but the claims certainly ring true. We all undoubtedly feel better at 4pm on a Friday afternoon, after a bit of exercise and usually more than a few laughs. To quote Liz in the Parkinson’s UK magazine:
“I'm convinced that playing table tennis regularly for the last 16 years has meant I’m better able to manage my Parkinson’s. When I’m playing, I forget everything in the heat and pace of the game. The clumsiness in the other areas of my life has not yet reached the table tennis court. It’s a fast game and there’s little time to think – you can only react as the small ball flies at you in a blur. Decisions must be made in a split second. It’s fantastic for hand-eye coordination and the movements from side to side, backwards, and forwards, are good for balance. I’m sure it’s also good for the brain. You must form the correct basic strokes and continually repeat those actions until they become part of your muscle memory. There’s an emphasis on decision-making and strategy too, to outwit the opponent – rather like a physical form of chess. This may all sound a bit serious. It’s actually great fun. I have forged many good friendships across the table. People of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities play regularly. It’s a passion to constantly drive to improve and play the perfect game.”
It couldn’t have been said more eloquently, and don’t you just love Liz’s passion for the game? Let’s go play!! If you would like to join our group to learn the game, improve your skills or just enjoy playing and socialising, please contact Peter Singer. All are welcome, whether you play regularly, have not played for some time or have never played before.
Peter Singer