What is the Key to Living a Longer, Healthier Life?
We all want to know the secret to living a longer life, and it may not be such a secret after all. Four lifestyle habits that contribute to living longer include physical activity, a balanced diet, quality sleep and meaningful social connections. But what if one activity could tick multiple of those boxes and extend your life by almost 10 years? Before you grab a racquet and rush to the court, let’s look at the facts and what makes tennis uniquely beneficial.
We’ve identified four key lifestyle habits for living longer, and tennis supports two of them; it keeps you physically active and socially connected. So, while exercise can contribute to a longer life, some sports offer significantly more than others. In the Copenhagen City Heart study, researchers followed 8,500 people to determine the impact of various sports on longevity. They found that playing tennis can increase life expectancy by 9.7 years, ranking it the highest among other sports, such as jogging (3.2 years), cycling (3.7 years), and swimming (3.4 years).
Why Tennis May Add Years to Your Life
Tennis challenges your strength, coordination, balance and endurance. It requires fast multidirectional movement that builds balance and core strength, which leads to stronger grip strength, knee stability, faster reflexes, more endurance, and better cardiovascular health. Building this type of strength helps with injury prevention, more mobility, and increases your lifespan.
Tennis also functions as a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout, where you experience short bursts of intense activity followed by recovery periods. This style of exercise is proven to improve heart health, burn fat, and promote cellular regeneration.
Unlike going to the gym solo with your headphones in, tennis is an inherently social sport. Whether you’re playing doubles, rallying with a friend, or joining a competition, it naturally encourages regular social connection. Social interaction reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, boosts mental health and increases your sense of life’s purpose, which are all linked to longevity.
Join The Community
Tennis is a fun and effective way to stay active and social, regardless of your age. Whether you’re picking up a racquet for the first time or getting back into the game, tennis is more than just a sport, it’s an investment in your mental and physical health and longevity.
At Next Gen, you’re not just learning a sport, you’re joining a supportive and vibrant community. We have tennis programs for all ages and skill levels, from social match play to club competitions to private and group coaching. There’s something for everyone. With research showing that tennis can add up to 9.7 years to your life, consider this your sign to pick up a racquet and start playing. We hope to see you on the court.