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The Sport That Boosts Life Expectancy

Extending our lifespans doesn’t always have to involve activities we dislike. Engaging in enjoyable hobbies that keep us physically active, especially later in life, can be a powerful way to promote both longevity and overall well-being. Longevity researcher and author Dan Buettner highlights pickleball as one of the most effective ways to increase life expectancy while staying healthy.

In a recent Instagram video, Buettner explains that activities like walking, jogging, or swimming daily can add about three years to your lifespan. However, racket sports, such as tennis and badminton, have a significantly greater impact. “Badminton can add about six years to your life expectancy, and tennis over nine years,” Buettner says, noting that these sports outperform activities like golf or high-impact sports like boxing and football, which carry risks of injury or head trauma.

Scientific studies back up these claims. A 2016 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine followed over 80,000 individuals aged 30 to 98 to explore the relationship between sports and lifespan. The research showed that racket sports topped the list, reducing all-cause mortality risk by 47% and cardiovascular-related death risk by 56%. This was higher than the reductions seen with swimming (28% for all-cause mortality, 41% for cardiovascular), aerobics, or cycling. The researchers concluded that activities engaging both the upper and lower body, like racket sports, offer superior cardiovascular benefits.

Among racket sports, Buettner emphasizes pickleball as an excellent choice for promoting longevity. It is beginner-friendly, affordable, and highly social, making it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. “You can’t help but meet people on the pickleball court,” Buettner says. This social aspect, combined with regular physical activity, makes pickleball an effective way to stay active and engaged, ultimately supporting a longer and healthier life.

Incorporating pickleball or similar sports into your routine could be a game-changer for longevity. Its physical, cardiovascular, and social benefits make it a standout activity for anyone seeking to enhance their quality of life and add more active years to their future.