The positive impact of table tennis on people with Parkinson’s is well known – and our new toolkit provides guidance on setting up sessions to help people with the condition.
Research and feedback continue to demonstrate that people with Parkinson’s who regularly play our sport experience an improvement in their symptoms.
While regular exercise of any kind is beneficial, there are particular benefits to playing table tennis, thought to be linked to the fact that table tennis is not only aerobic, but requires fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and balance, and stimulates various parts of the brain.
A growing number of sessions are being organised across the country, and as part of our work with Parkinson’s UK, we are helping clubs and other venues be more inclusive for people with Parkinson’s, as well as helping club coaches and volunteers feel confident to support this inclusion.
Ahead of Parkinson’s Awareness Week, which starts tomorrow, we have developed a toolkit to help people who are currently running, or who want to start running, table tennis sessions for people with Parkinson’s.
As well as information on the condition and its symptoms, the toolkit includes tips on how to design sessions for people with Parkinson’s, plus typical venue requirements based on feedback from those attending existing sessions.
For added inspiration, check out this video about our visit to Leeds ParkyPING! to see the brilliant work of Rob Cook, Leeds ParkyPING! Co-Founder.
Table Tennis England has partnered with Parkinson’s UK since 2020, working together to provide opportunities for People with Parkinson’s to play the sport across England. More can be seen about our partnership journey here.
