People who play tennis live longer. This was found out by scientists in a long-term study in Denmark.
Not only the tennis pros are playing longer and longer on the tour – ask for instance Ivo Karlovic, tender 39 years old, or even Daniel Nestor, meanwhile 46 years old, who served in doubles with Jürgen Melzer in Wimbledon. If you play tennis regularly, you will prolong your life expectancy. This was discovered by Danish researchers in a long-term study.
Over a period of 25 years, 8,500 people were accompanied, of whom 4,500 died in the course of the study. Particular attention was paid to the sports habits of the test persons. And the results are clear: setback disciplines such as tennis and badminton can ensure a longer life.
In the Copenhagen City Heart Study, the life expectancy of people with an affinity for tennis was 9.7 years higher than the total population. After all, passionate squash players can expect 6.2 years more. But people with an affinity to football can also look back on an average of 4.7 years longer life.
Above all, social aspects are decisive here. “For mental and physical well-being and longevity, our social network is probably the only decisive component for a long, happy life,” says Dr. James O’Keefe, one of the co-authors of the study.
A second point not to be underestimated: Especially in sports such as tennis and badminton, players feel like children again. It’s pure fun.