18 October 2023
Update
New Apple research points to health benefits of pickleball
Apple Heart and Movement Study reveals tennis and pickleball offer overall health benefits, while pickleball continues to grow in popularity
Researchers from the Apple Heart and Movement Study share new insights into pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports around the world. The researchers used the data to compare this emerging sport with long-established sports like tennis. and study how this sport affects overall health
In one of the largest observational data sets of pickleball activities, collected using Apple Watch, researchers found trends in pickleball and tennis exercise data that point to health benefits associated with both types of activity.
Participants who have played pickleball and tennis frequently for a long time Their average maximum heart rate during exercise recorded was 70 percent of their estimated maximum heart rate. Pickleball exercises last slightly longer than tennis exercises. Tennis workouts, on the other hand, are in a harder, longer heart rate zone and have a higher average maximum heart rate.
Researchers also saw a steady increase in the popularity of pickleball exercises, surpassing the popularity of tennis exercises for the first time. And in this study Utah is the state with the highest recorded number of pickleball practices relative to population. Researchers found that both pickleball and tennis are popular forms of exercise among adults. It is more popular among men than women.
Observing the participants’ behavior along with using activity data and sensors from the Apple Watch helped researchers understand more and more. About the factors that affect heart health and movement over time.
“The Apple Heart and Movement Study gave us a great opportunity to track changes in participants’ behavior and the impact of these changes on their health,” said Calum MacRae, MD, Ph.D., a cardiologist. “Tracking the growing popularity of pickleball using data from Apple Watch has helped us see trends,” said Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and principal investigator of the Apple Heart and Movement Study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “New things are emerging, including the effect of activity on many previously unmeasured measures of health and fitness.”
The Apple Heart and Movement Study is one of three public studies Apple has released in its research app. which is a collaboration with many leading institutions Research apps enable researchers to expand both the scale and scope of research studies. Helps discover new scientific information and enhance Apple’s ability to create new features. which uses a scientific basis in the creative process
Healthy activities for everyone from pickleball bats and rackets.
After analyzing more than 250,000 pickleball and tennis workouts recorded on the study participants’ Apple Watches, The researchers found that on average, pickleball workouts lasted slightly longer than tennis, 90 minutes versus 81 minutes, respectively, and there was more variation in play duration.
Researchers analyzed heart rates to estimate the intensity of each type of physical activity. And it was found that exercising by playing tennis had an average maximum heart rate faster than 9 beats per minute, or 152 beats per minute, compared to playing pickleball, which had a heart rate of 143 beats per minute.
Heart rate zones are another way to assess exercise effort. While both sports tend to have the same time trends in each heart rate zone, But on average Tennis workouts include periods in which the heart rate zone is 9 percentage points heavier. Compared to exercising with Pickleball
Both pickleball and tennis exercises are often played for long periods of time. During the recorded exercise Participants had an average maximum heart rate within 70 percent of their estimated maximum heart rate. By engaging in regular physical activity, it results in a better quality of life and healthy aging.
Benefits comparable to meditation
The effects of exercise on mental health are an important aspect that researchers have taken into account. The study therefore gave participants the option to complete a mental health survey. This includes a depression screening tool called the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2).
from across this study Results consistent with depressed mood are relatively rare. But the distribution of PHQ-2 scores is lower among people who frequently play pickleball and tennis. Compared to the group of participants in general The odds of a PHQ-2 result indicating depressed mood were 60.1 percent lower among those who frequently played pickleball and 51.3 percent lower among those who played tennis. This highlights that physical activity may also have a positive effect on mental health.
“Research is a critical component of our health work at Apple, and it was important to see the science behind the benefits of activities like pickleball and tennis on the physical and mental health of Apple Watch users. “Physical inactivity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases,” said Sumbul Desai, MD, vice president of health at Apple. Many more can be avoided and changed. Finding activities that people can enjoy participating in can help create a good routine. Whether you choose to pick up a pickleball bat or a racquet, you can play.”
According to the results of a July 2023 study, the number of participants playing pickleball in one month surpassed the number of participants playing tennis for the first time. Tennis exercise trends vary during each season. As for exercise with Pickleball, there has been relatively consistent growth.
“We are pleased to see our pickleball findings included in the Apple Heart and Movement Study, a collaboration between Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the American Heart Association. Playing pickleball has many benefits for people everywhere. of all ages and from all backgrounds in terms of health, society and active living,” said Mike Nealy, CEO of USA Pickleball. “As the government governing body for sports in the United States, It was very meaningful to see the science behind pickleball using real-world data from the Apple Watch. Not very formal and the social nature of this sport It can be beneficial and enjoyable for those looking for ways to add additional movement to their workouts.”
Research studies have found that both sports are popular among all age groups. And is more popular among men than women. On average Players who logged at least 10 pickleball workouts were 51 to 45 older than their tennis counterparts, respectively, and had a higher female participation rate.
Pickleball Players in Utah Are Top Ranked
in research studies Utah is unique in being the center of the sport by being the state where pickleball is the most popular relative to population. More than one of every 16 participants tried the sport at least once.
“We are very excited to see that. In the latest update to the Apple Heart and Movement Study, Utah is the state with the highest popularity of the sport relative to population. It’s great that so many Utahns are integrating Pickleball into their daily lives. And this research is a wonderful reminder that Exercise of any type It is a powerful way to improve our health over the long term,” said Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox.
About the Apple Heart and Movement Study
Apple Heart and Movement Study It’s a collaboration between Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the American Heart Association, and Apple to study the link between physical activity and heart health. More than 200,000 participants across the United States gave their consent to share their data.
Apple Watch tips for Pickleball players
Apple Watch has many ways to help users stay connected. Stay active Healthy and safe
To follow a Pickleball session on Apple Watch, go to exercise app and select “Add Exercise,” then select Pickleball to help track your exercise intensity. Users can customize their workout view on Apple Watch by adding heart rate zones. And users can review their activity data in the Fitness app on iPhone or their health data in the Health app on iPhone or iPad. “Double tap” gesture Coming later this month to Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, users will be able to answer and end phone calls or reply to messages with one hand when on the court while holding a pickleball bat with the other hand. Focus on exercise Users can create Focus mode on your iPhone to choose when you want to receive alerts and notifications on your Apple Watch while letting others know when you’re unavailable. In Settings, select Focus, tap Add Button, then select Custom Custom” to customize options. User can enter AirTag You can put it in your pickleball bag and track its location on your Apple Watch. Go to the Find Items app. and choose whether to play a sound or see directions to find objects.
mass media
Jiraporn Bunnag
Apple
jiraporn_boonnark@apple.com
(66) 816 224 017
