October-November 2008 -- Question: My question concerns our initiative, Tennis - for the health of it!, but with respect to a specific part of our population. In our community, we have access to many people who are age 50 and over. Would you please provide some information that I, as a USPTA Professional, could use to attract more of this part of the population to my facility?
Answer: This question is a very important one for us to answer as an organization! Most baby boomers are either nearing or past 50 now and they're looking for ways to stay healthy and improve the quality of their lives. I too believe we should have an outreach program to this group of people.
To give you the best information possible, I consulted with two sources who I believe are leaders in their fields and can equip USPTA Professionals with the best and the most useable knowledge. I interviewed Harvard psychiatrist John Ratey, M.D., author of the best-selling book, "SPARK," as well as Nick DiNubile, M.D., a renowned orthopedic surgeon, host of the award-winning national PBS television special, "Your Body's FrameWork," and a USPTA member. As I interviewed each expert, I noticed some very pointed responses that you can and should use immediately to recruit this population subgroup to your facility. I will enumerate the questions and share their responses with you.
What do you see as some of the major reasons that many people in the over-50 age group do not participate in activities like tennis?
Both experts noted that it is more difficult to start any new activity. Dr. DiNubile cited three very specific obstacles relative to tennis: "(a) that the learning curve can be daunting and frustrating, and they need guidance getting through the introductory phase, (b) some may have played tennis in their past but had an extensive layoff; they have to be shown how renewing their tennis game could be one of the best decisions of their life, and (c) some may want to play but due to injury or illness, have been sidelined for extended time periods; we need to help these people understand that there are many ways to resolve bone or joint problems." As I reflected on Dr. DiNubile's answer, I felt that each of us can, in conjunction with physicians in our own communities, use tennis lessons to help people become more mobile and active, depending on the extent of their health and fitness concerns.
Dr. Ratey took his answer to another level as he issued a challenge. He feels that many in this group have "lost the fire" and have a tendency to withdraw in general, not wishing to be challenged beyond their abilities. But, he responded to this "loss of fire" with, "which is exactly why they need to seek more and more challenges to keep their body, brain, mind and spirit alive and growing." Dr. Ratey concluded his comments with, "To sit on the sidelines is to erode and die!" With these provocative responses, I am sure you know where I went with my next question.
Why should tennis be a primary activity for this age group?
Interestingly, both experts noted the "fun" aspect of tennis in their answers. Dr. DiNubile stated that "tennis is a tremendous lifetime activity with numerous health benefits for both the mind and body. Adults who regularly participate in tennis will predictably find improved levels of cardiovascular conditioning, strength, flexibility, mobility, balance, hand-eye coordination and so much more. These are physical characteristics that typically decline rapidly after the age of 50. So a fun activity that both maintains and enhances these elements is one that we should encourage. Also, in addition to feeling better, remaining sharper, having an improved feeling of well-being, and socializing regularly, there are many mental and emotional benefits to tennis. We need to get this word out to the adult population, including healthcare professionals and physicians, so they can promote and even prescribe tennis to enhance health and optimal aging."
Dr. Ratey, using his well-researched data, responded strongly with this: "Seniors would be well advised to make tennis a primary activity - to begin anew, to continue to play or to take it up for the first time. Tennis offers so many bonuses to keep the body and brain young. The exercise component, the social contact and connections, the fun, and the competitive nature all help to challenge the brain to grow and remain functional. What we are learning today is that if we challenge our nerve cells, we keep them growing. Sudoku and playing brain games is one way to work your brain, but tennis offers help in so many more ways. By moving and shifting and changing and learning how to make those shots you are doing the most to challenge your brain. By getting into the aerobic range and then taxing your brain to sculpt the forehand and backhand just so, and then to add a component of strategizing and competition to it - all in a social environment and maybe even experiencing delight and fun - your brain will really thank you for it. We know that exercising is great for the brain but adding in learning a complex skill is the best. Studies are now showing that people do better on tests immediately after even 10 minutes of straight aerobic exercise, but if you add complexity of movements in the mix they do even better. Also, tennis will quickly help your bones and balance, which become very important for men and women as we age."
I asked our experts to recommend how USPTA Professionals could attract people in the over-50 age category to their facilities and get them involved in tennis.
Dr. DiNubile noted that "Knowledge is power, and so many adults, especially the aging baby boomers, are not only online in record numbers, but are pretty sophisticated in their interest in and search for health-related information. USPTA Professionals can be a tremendous resource in spreading the word about the many health benefits of tennis. It will take some creativity at times, and tennis pros may need to leave their usual "comfort zone" on the tennis court to reach more and varied groups of people. I would recommend hosting social events for adults that include even beginner type lessons and fun activities, or even giving brief presentations to groups at community centers, country clubs, or school parent groups. Find a local physician who is enthusiastic about tennis and team up with him or her to do presentations to both the medical and lay public. Load your facility with a variety of posters and handouts highlighting the health benefits of tennis. Also, for every child who takes tennis lessons, there is a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle who is a potential player. Find ways, at your facility or through these kids, to get that information about the benefits of tennis, and programs that you offer, to those adults who could benefit. The USPTA Web site has many resources in this regard, and we are looking to add much more to help facilitate getting the word out."
Dr. Ratey felt that we had to go back to the fun aspect of our great game, saying that, "There is just so much that is positive about tennis for seniors." For Dr. Ratey, the selling points to this age group are (a) the fun aspect because fun is self-reinforcing, (b) the relative ease of learning to get to some success, and (c) the wide range of positive brain effects. "Like I tell all personal trainers," he said, "they need to know how they are affecting their clients' brains, so they can sell their services more effectively."
I then asked Dr. DiNubile, since he himself is a USPTA member, how he would recommend someone in this age category get involved in tennis.
Obviously, he is a big believer in taking lessons, indicating that "So many injuries are rooted in poor technique, and the adult frame is much less forgiving than the younger one. Lessons are the best preventive medicine in that regard. For those who have had a long layoff, it's a good way to transition back. Lessons provide a much more controlled environment and you will hone your strokes much more rapidly. If you, like so many adults, have had musculoskeletal issues like an arthritic knee, a rotator cuff problem in your shoulder, tennis elbow or a bad back, you should get it checked out by a sports medicine professional who can help you resolve or at least improve the problem. Also, you must talk to your tennis professional about these orthopedic issues so they can modify your workouts and lessons to keep you out of trouble." Then, Dr. DiNubile issued a challenge to all of us about our own continuing education to help this population subgroup of over-50, in saying, "Like it or not, USPTA Professionals will need to become more knowledgeable about, and comfortable with, musculoskeletal problems if they are to be successful with the adult population. With a little knowledge and effort, tennis professionals can keep most people playing tennis, and enjoying this wonderful game, well into their senior years."
In closing, I truly recommend both these authors' works. But, I will leave you with a quote from Dr. Ratey, that appeared in a "USA Today" editorial featuring his book, "SPARK": "I recommend seniors work out five or six days a week. A heart-thumping game of tennis can keep the older brain in top shape."
Send questions to jgroppel@LGEPerformance.com.
