Play More. Live Longer.
Racket sports deliver a surprising longevity boost. Here’s the reason.
All movement helps you live longer. Some just help more.
A major study found that people who played badminton lived over 6 years longer than inactive adults. Tennis players? 10 extra years.
Why it works:
Racket sports aren’t just movement.
They’re bursts of speed.
Split-second decisions.
Fast footwork.
And maybe most important: connection.
You’re not just moving—you’re reacting, strategizing, laughing (hopefully).
Other activities that added years:
Soccer: +4.7 years
Cycling: +3.7 years
Swimming: +3.4 years
Jogging: +3.2 years
Calisthenics: +3.1 years
One catch: These are strong links, not proof. Don’t scrap the rest of your routine just yet.
Pickleball wasn’t in the study. But it fits the mold: fast, strategic, social.
I get it. I play pickleball. It’s not about the score. It’s movement, connection, and laughter—things that stick long after the game ends.
Next time you move, ask:
Does this feel like something I want to do—or something I should do?
Can I make it more social? More fun?
The more you say yes, the more years—and life—you’ll stack.
In good health, driven by science - Heather
***
As an award-winning researcher, my goal at Wellness Discovery is to bring you science-backed insights to help you age well in midlife and beyond.
Heather - thank you for continuing to educate us on what the science says about our health and wellness. So important to understand.
I find if I can tie my movement to things I enjoy I'm more apt to continue without being frustrated as much in many areas of my life outside the movement. A gift that keeps giving if you will.
And play, yes!!, as when we are doing it as adults our level of cortisol levels disappate quite quickly.
Love this! Live longer + enjoy the years on a daily basis more.
Why is tennis linked to a greater increase in life expectancy compared to badminton.