Biopsychosocial Tennis Research Paper
Tennis: The Best Biopsychosocial Sport
December 3, 2013
Tennis: The Best Biopsychosocial Sport
Coined the “Sport for a lifetime”, tennis is played by over 75 million people worldwide and is considered by scientists, physicians, and other experts as the most healthful activity in the world (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009; Pluim, Miller, Dines, Renstrom, Windler, Norris, Stroia, Donaldson & Martin, 2007). The basis for this powerful claim primarily comes from the many health benefits that abundant research has revealed about sports in general, and, specifically, about tennis. The scope of the health benefits that tennis can provide are beyond solely the physical realm, but also include psychological and social …show more content…
well-being benefits as well. The benefits that the sport of tennis embody closely mirror the biopsychosocial perspective, which is the idea that health and behaviors are influenced by the collaboration of biological systems, psychological procedures, and social impacts (Straub, 2012). Examining the wealth of health benefits that the sport of tennis offers reveals the argument that it may be the best biopsychosocial sport on the planet.
The biological, psychological, and sociocultural components that make up the biopsychosocial perspective can undoubtedly be found in the sport of tennis. The basic fact that tennis is a physical activity clearly points to the biological health values that it can offer to a participant. This concept corresponds with the idea that all behaviors, whether they include conditions of health or illness, ensue in a biological context (Straub, 2012). Dr. Joan Finn and associates from the Southern Connecticut University conducted research unveiling that tennis players scored superior in optimism and self-esteem, while lower in depression, anxiety, anger, and tension than athletes from other sports and non-athletes (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). This finding and numerous others like it relate to the primary implication in the field of health psychology that health often depends on psychological elements (Straub, 2012). The social context of the biopsychosocial perspective considers the way in which a person interacts with their environment and others around them and how this affects their health (Straub, 2012). This social context is prevalent in tennis in a very positive sense as it is a fun sport that can be enjoyed by an entire family and is a sport that allows for frequent socialization (Cleveland Clinic, 2013).
The physical or biological value of playing tennis cannot be denied. After performing a landmark study using over 10,000 people for over 20 years, Dr. Paffenbarger from the Harvard University School of Public Health declared that playing tennis three hours per week can cut a person’s risk of death in half from any reason (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Specific physical health benefits acquired from playing tennis on a regular basis include improved aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, strength, coordination, agility, flexibility, immune function, bone density, and bone health (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Not only will general physical health be enhanced by participating in this sport, but many of the mentioned benefits can lower and remove risk factors for several diseases. Even more significant than these researched and documented general health benefits is that a major biological health benefit that is associated with playing tennis is the reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death on the planet and causes 30% of all deaths worldwide (World Health Organization, 2013; as cited in Walker, 2013). The scientific studies, correlational studies, but also, good sense and practicality regarding tennis convey the controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can be diminished or removed from playing this sport. Among the controllable risk factors that can be reduced by one’s behavior are hypertension, obesity, cholesterol level, and tobacco use (Straub, 2012). These risk factors obviously fall into the biological category of the biopsychosocial model of health, but are also linked to the psychological and social categories as well. One of the many studies pointing to the decrease in risk factors for cardiovascular disease from participation in tennis was a longitudinal investigation consisting of 1000 people who were tested once during and once after a 40 year period, revealing that the people who continued to play tennis through their middle ages showed superior health profiles with lower risk factors for this disease (Houston, Meoni, Ford, Brancati, Cooper, Levine & Klag, 2002).
One of the key factors relating to hypertension is blood pressure, which can distinctly be reduced through tennis play. This has been demonstrated by Jette, Landry, Tiemaan, and Blumchen (1991, as cited in Pluim, Staal, Marks, Miller & Miley, 2007) in a study of 21 male tennis players in their middle-ages. The Cleveland Clinic (2013) too backs the declarations that tennis play reduces blood pressure. Stress is also connected to hypertension and has been widely claimed to be diminished from tennis participation. A behavioral analysis in Japan found that only a single session of tennis relieved stress and tension (Kerr, Fauiyama, and Campano, 2002; as cited in Marks, 2006). Dr. John Murray (2000) collaborates that for many reasons, the social interaction combined with the physical activity being a main reason, tennis reduces stress, anxiety, and muscle tension.
Obesity is high on the list of risk factors of cardiovascular disease that can be prevented and reduced from playing tennis. This is particularly important as there over one billion overweight adults around the world with more than 300 million clinically obese (Pluim, et al., 2007). There have been four cross sectional investigations as well as other studies providing strong support that playing tennis contributes to the prevention of obesity (Pluim, et al., 2007). Studies of tennis and obesity have been done on various age groups, both genders, various levels of players, and have also been compared to other sports. Vodak and his colleagues conducted one such study uncovering that the body fat in 25 male and 25 female tennis players were all below average (Vodak, Wood, Haskell, & Williams, 1980). It was also shown that people who participated in tennis compared to team sports were less likely to be obese (Schneider & Greenberg, 1992; as cited in Pluim, et al., 2007). Additionally, LaForest, St-Pierre, Cyr, and Gayton (1990; as cited in Pluim, et al., 2007) showed that participation in tennis need only be leisure in their study of recreational players who were significantly lower in body fat than the control group they were matched up against for age. Related to obesity as a controllable risk factor of cardiovascular disease and also found to be improved by tennis play are cholesterol levels. Tennis has been shown to both, reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels and increase cholesterol that is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Participants whose exclusive form of regular exercise was tennis displayed much lower levels of unhealthy cholesterol when compared to an inactive control group that was matched for education, age, and sex (Walker, 2013). Swank, Condra, and Yates (1998) showed that high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) was higher in tennis players of a general population, while Howley, Gayle, Montoye, Painter, and Fleshhood (1982) showed the same positive HDL cholesterol results in tennis players over 55 years of age. Ferrauti, Weber, and Strüder’s (1997) study showed that positive effects on cholesterol numbers were already apparent after six weeks of play among recreational tennis players. Another controllable risk factor associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease is the use of tobacco. Smoking is associated with 20 percent of all cardiovascular disease deaths and it can raise the risk of heart attack by more than double (Straub, 2012). Tennis players have been cited as being less likely to smoke and less likely to take part in other types of threatening activities when compared to participants of other sports (Schneider & Greenburg, 1992; as cited in Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Dr. Murray (2000) claims that those who participate in tennis are more likely to have healthy behavior habits, such as increased self-control and a decreased use of substance. Tennis not only exercises the body, but it is also known to exercise the brain (Marks, 2006). Preventing and/or lowering the risks of cardiovascular disease are an enormous value, but another significant health benefit of playing tennis is the cognitive gains that people receive from the sport. It has been found that playing tennis can increase the production of beneficial proteins in the brain as well as increase the production of cells in the hippocampus, which is the area of memory and learning in the brain (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). The tactical thinking that tennis involves is believed to create new connections among nerves in the brain as well as changes in brain neurotransmitters, which could lead to brain development for one’s entire life of playing tennis (Wetzel & Harmeyer, 1999; Snider, 1996; as cited in Groppel & DiNubile, 2009; Murray, 2000). Marks (2006) as well as Groppel and DiNubile (2009) state that tennis has been shown to help seniors maintain cognitive abilities and alertness later in life. In addition to the ample physical benefits that research has shown supporting tennis, the psychological realm of the biopsychosocial perspective is also enhanced from participation in this sport. As mentioned previously, Dr. Joan Finn along with collaborators from the Southern Connecticut State University conducted research uncovering that tennis players scored greater in optimism and self-esteem, while lower in depression, anxiety, anger, and tension than athletes from other sports and non-athletes (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Each of these psychological traits is very valuable to the health of an individual. Optimism, in particular, has been said to help people live longer and healthier lives than those who are pessimistic (Segerstrom, 2006; as cited in Straub, 2012). The health benefit of stress reduction being able to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, as already presented, is also an invaluable psychological tool promoting well-rounded health.
Further support for the psychological advantages of playing tennis is collaborating research and studies from Brown and Daino that reaffirm findings of tennis players scoring higher than control groups in self-esteem, but lower in neuroticism, apprehension, anxiety, obsession, anger, and depression (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Low levels of anger and other negative emotions are important as they can be as hazardous as smoking is to the heart as people scoring higher on an anger scale are more prone to have a heart attack than people scoring low (Williams, Paton, Siegler, Eigenbrot, Nieto & Tyroler, 2000; as cited in Straub, 2012). A similar comparison can be made between depression and smoking as this negative emotion can be the same as ingesting secondhand smoke and, therefore, is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Wulsin & Singal, 2003; as cited in Straub, 2012). The claims that tennis can reduce negative emotions such as anger and depression are important to consider as these are significant mental health risk factors that if moderated and eliminated can lead to better physical health. The third element of the biopsychosocial perspective, social context, is as equally prevalent and enhanced from participation in the sport of tennis as the physical and psychological contexts are. Murray (2000) stated that countless psychologists and physicians prescribe physical activity as either a primary or secondary treatment for numerous emotional problems. The many emotional benefits of tennis can put tennis at the top of the list as a prescription to certain emotional difficulties. There are a plethora of ways to socialize through the sport of tennis by way of group lessons, leagues, tournaments, doubles play, mixed doubles play, family events, and more. The United States Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation have websites that make it very easy to join the local tennis communities worldwide. Further, certified professionals around the world are able to help people of all ages, genders, and skill levels to begin tennis with the best start to enjoy a lifetime of fun and health (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009).
Gender and age perspectives which are part of the social context are highly evident in the sport of tennis.
Tennis sisters and super stars, Venus and Serena Williams, like to remind people that tennis is as much of a sport for women as it is for men (Cleveland Clinic, 2013). Brown (1983; as cited in Groppel & DiNubile, 2009) determined in an analysis strictly on females that tennis was an opportunity where females could gain achievement and improve self-esteem. Regarding age, tennis offers competition in age-groups ranging from the under eight division to the over 90 division, which is very rare in other sports. The many studies that have revealed physical, psychological, and social health benefits of tennis have shown the same well-rounded benefits for all ages, including old and elderly players. For example, on the social front, the interaction that is encouraged through tennis helps ward off loneliness in individuals, especially as they age and may have lost loved ones (Marks, 1998, Bailey & McLaren, 2005, Kolt, Driver & Giles, 2004; as cited in Marks, 2006). Most importantly, the large majority of people who take up the sport of tennis continue to play for their entire life making this activity an attractive sport to grow old with (Pluim, et al., …show more content…
2006).
The benefits of physical activity have been recognized by experts in numerous fields for many years, but what tennis has to offer its participants goes above and beyond ordinary exercise. Tennis is invigorating, it is satisfying, it is a great departure from the stress of life, and it is almost never too late to begin (Cleveland Clinic, 2013). Other sports may also provide fun and health benefits, but no other sport has garnered such acclaim for its superb physical, mental, and emotional health benefits (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). This trio of benefits embodies the mind-body model of health that the biopsychosocial perspective exemplifies (Straub, 2012). Tennis is thought by many, and rightly so, as the “sport for a lifetime”, but it should also be known as the “best biopsychosocial sport for a lifetime”.
References
Cleveland Clinic.
(2013). Tennis: Stronger mind & body. Heart and Vascular Health &
Prevention. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/exercise/tennis.aspx
Ferrauti, A., Weber, K., & Strüder, H. K. (1997). Effects of tennis training on lipid metabolism and lipoproteins in recreational players. British journal of sports medicine, 31(4), 322-327.
Groppel, J., & DiNubile, N. (2009). Tennis: for the health of it. The Physician and Sports
Medicine, 37(2), 40-50.
Houston, T. K., Meoni, L. A., Ford, D. E., Brancati, F. L., Cooper, L. A., Levine, D. M., &
Klag, M. J. (2002). Sports ability in young men and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Medicine, 112(9), 689-695.
Marks, B. (2006). Health benefits for veteran (senior) tennis players. British Journal of Sports
Medicine, 40(5), 469-476.
Murray, John. (2000). Psychological benefits of tennis. Mental Equipment. Retrieved from http://www.tennisserver.com/mental-equipment/me_00_03.html Pluim, B. M., Miller, S., Dines, D., Renström, P. A., Windler, G., Norris, B., & Martin, K.
(2007). Sport science and medicine in tennis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 41(11),
703-704.
Pluim, B. M., Staal, J., Marks, B. L., Miller, S., & Miley, D. (2007). Health benefits of tennis.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 41(11), 760-768.
Straub, R. (2012). Health Psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (3rd ed.). New York: Worth
Publishers
Swank, A. M., Condra, S., & Yates, J. W. (1998). Effect of long term tennis participation on aerobic power, body composition, muscular strength, flexibility and serum lipids. Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal, 8(2), 99-112.
Vodak, P. A., Wood, P. D., Haskell, W. L., & Williams, P. T. (1980). HDL-cholesterol and other plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in middle-aged male and female tennis players. Metabolism, 29(8), 745-752.
Walker, J. (2013). Reducing cardiovascular disease risk: cholesterol and diet. Nursing Standard.
28(2), 48-55.
Wetzel KC & Harmeyer KM. (1999). Mind Games: The Aging Brain and How to Keep it
Healthy. Albany, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning
December 3, 2013
Tennis: The Best Biopsychosocial Sport
Coined the “Sport for a lifetime”, tennis is played by over 75 million people worldwide and is considered by scientists, physicians, and other experts as the most healthful activity in the world (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009; Pluim, Miller, Dines, Renstrom, Windler, Norris, Stroia, Donaldson & Martin, 2007). The basis for this powerful claim primarily comes from the many health benefits that abundant research has revealed about sports in general, and, specifically, about tennis. The scope of the health benefits that tennis can provide are beyond solely the physical realm, but also include psychological and social …show more content…
well-being benefits as well. The benefits that the sport of tennis embody closely mirror the biopsychosocial perspective, which is the idea that health and behaviors are influenced by the collaboration of biological systems, psychological procedures, and social impacts (Straub, 2012). Examining the wealth of health benefits that the sport of tennis offers reveals the argument that it may be the best biopsychosocial sport on the planet.
The biological, psychological, and sociocultural components that make up the biopsychosocial perspective can undoubtedly be found in the sport of tennis. The basic fact that tennis is a physical activity clearly points to the biological health values that it can offer to a participant. This concept corresponds with the idea that all behaviors, whether they include conditions of health or illness, ensue in a biological context (Straub, 2012). Dr. Joan Finn and associates from the Southern Connecticut University conducted research unveiling that tennis players scored superior in optimism and self-esteem, while lower in depression, anxiety, anger, and tension than athletes from other sports and non-athletes (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). This finding and numerous others like it relate to the primary implication in the field of health psychology that health often depends on psychological elements (Straub, 2012). The social context of the biopsychosocial perspective considers the way in which a person interacts with their environment and others around them and how this affects their health (Straub, 2012). This social context is prevalent in tennis in a very positive sense as it is a fun sport that can be enjoyed by an entire family and is a sport that allows for frequent socialization (Cleveland Clinic, 2013).
The physical or biological value of playing tennis cannot be denied. After performing a landmark study using over 10,000 people for over 20 years, Dr. Paffenbarger from the Harvard University School of Public Health declared that playing tennis three hours per week can cut a person’s risk of death in half from any reason (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Specific physical health benefits acquired from playing tennis on a regular basis include improved aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, strength, coordination, agility, flexibility, immune function, bone density, and bone health (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Not only will general physical health be enhanced by participating in this sport, but many of the mentioned benefits can lower and remove risk factors for several diseases. Even more significant than these researched and documented general health benefits is that a major biological health benefit that is associated with playing tennis is the reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death on the planet and causes 30% of all deaths worldwide (World Health Organization, 2013; as cited in Walker, 2013). The scientific studies, correlational studies, but also, good sense and practicality regarding tennis convey the controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can be diminished or removed from playing this sport. Among the controllable risk factors that can be reduced by one’s behavior are hypertension, obesity, cholesterol level, and tobacco use (Straub, 2012). These risk factors obviously fall into the biological category of the biopsychosocial model of health, but are also linked to the psychological and social categories as well. One of the many studies pointing to the decrease in risk factors for cardiovascular disease from participation in tennis was a longitudinal investigation consisting of 1000 people who were tested once during and once after a 40 year period, revealing that the people who continued to play tennis through their middle ages showed superior health profiles with lower risk factors for this disease (Houston, Meoni, Ford, Brancati, Cooper, Levine & Klag, 2002).
One of the key factors relating to hypertension is blood pressure, which can distinctly be reduced through tennis play. This has been demonstrated by Jette, Landry, Tiemaan, and Blumchen (1991, as cited in Pluim, Staal, Marks, Miller & Miley, 2007) in a study of 21 male tennis players in their middle-ages. The Cleveland Clinic (2013) too backs the declarations that tennis play reduces blood pressure. Stress is also connected to hypertension and has been widely claimed to be diminished from tennis participation. A behavioral analysis in Japan found that only a single session of tennis relieved stress and tension (Kerr, Fauiyama, and Campano, 2002; as cited in Marks, 2006). Dr. John Murray (2000) collaborates that for many reasons, the social interaction combined with the physical activity being a main reason, tennis reduces stress, anxiety, and muscle tension.
Obesity is high on the list of risk factors of cardiovascular disease that can be prevented and reduced from playing tennis. This is particularly important as there over one billion overweight adults around the world with more than 300 million clinically obese (Pluim, et al., 2007). There have been four cross sectional investigations as well as other studies providing strong support that playing tennis contributes to the prevention of obesity (Pluim, et al., 2007). Studies of tennis and obesity have been done on various age groups, both genders, various levels of players, and have also been compared to other sports. Vodak and his colleagues conducted one such study uncovering that the body fat in 25 male and 25 female tennis players were all below average (Vodak, Wood, Haskell, & Williams, 1980). It was also shown that people who participated in tennis compared to team sports were less likely to be obese (Schneider & Greenberg, 1992; as cited in Pluim, et al., 2007). Additionally, LaForest, St-Pierre, Cyr, and Gayton (1990; as cited in Pluim, et al., 2007) showed that participation in tennis need only be leisure in their study of recreational players who were significantly lower in body fat than the control group they were matched up against for age. Related to obesity as a controllable risk factor of cardiovascular disease and also found to be improved by tennis play are cholesterol levels. Tennis has been shown to both, reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels and increase cholesterol that is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Participants whose exclusive form of regular exercise was tennis displayed much lower levels of unhealthy cholesterol when compared to an inactive control group that was matched for education, age, and sex (Walker, 2013). Swank, Condra, and Yates (1998) showed that high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) was higher in tennis players of a general population, while Howley, Gayle, Montoye, Painter, and Fleshhood (1982) showed the same positive HDL cholesterol results in tennis players over 55 years of age. Ferrauti, Weber, and Strüder’s (1997) study showed that positive effects on cholesterol numbers were already apparent after six weeks of play among recreational tennis players. Another controllable risk factor associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease is the use of tobacco. Smoking is associated with 20 percent of all cardiovascular disease deaths and it can raise the risk of heart attack by more than double (Straub, 2012). Tennis players have been cited as being less likely to smoke and less likely to take part in other types of threatening activities when compared to participants of other sports (Schneider & Greenburg, 1992; as cited in Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Dr. Murray (2000) claims that those who participate in tennis are more likely to have healthy behavior habits, such as increased self-control and a decreased use of substance. Tennis not only exercises the body, but it is also known to exercise the brain (Marks, 2006). Preventing and/or lowering the risks of cardiovascular disease are an enormous value, but another significant health benefit of playing tennis is the cognitive gains that people receive from the sport. It has been found that playing tennis can increase the production of beneficial proteins in the brain as well as increase the production of cells in the hippocampus, which is the area of memory and learning in the brain (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). The tactical thinking that tennis involves is believed to create new connections among nerves in the brain as well as changes in brain neurotransmitters, which could lead to brain development for one’s entire life of playing tennis (Wetzel & Harmeyer, 1999; Snider, 1996; as cited in Groppel & DiNubile, 2009; Murray, 2000). Marks (2006) as well as Groppel and DiNubile (2009) state that tennis has been shown to help seniors maintain cognitive abilities and alertness later in life. In addition to the ample physical benefits that research has shown supporting tennis, the psychological realm of the biopsychosocial perspective is also enhanced from participation in this sport. As mentioned previously, Dr. Joan Finn along with collaborators from the Southern Connecticut State University conducted research uncovering that tennis players scored greater in optimism and self-esteem, while lower in depression, anxiety, anger, and tension than athletes from other sports and non-athletes (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Each of these psychological traits is very valuable to the health of an individual. Optimism, in particular, has been said to help people live longer and healthier lives than those who are pessimistic (Segerstrom, 2006; as cited in Straub, 2012). The health benefit of stress reduction being able to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, as already presented, is also an invaluable psychological tool promoting well-rounded health.
Further support for the psychological advantages of playing tennis is collaborating research and studies from Brown and Daino that reaffirm findings of tennis players scoring higher than control groups in self-esteem, but lower in neuroticism, apprehension, anxiety, obsession, anger, and depression (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). Low levels of anger and other negative emotions are important as they can be as hazardous as smoking is to the heart as people scoring higher on an anger scale are more prone to have a heart attack than people scoring low (Williams, Paton, Siegler, Eigenbrot, Nieto & Tyroler, 2000; as cited in Straub, 2012). A similar comparison can be made between depression and smoking as this negative emotion can be the same as ingesting secondhand smoke and, therefore, is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Wulsin & Singal, 2003; as cited in Straub, 2012). The claims that tennis can reduce negative emotions such as anger and depression are important to consider as these are significant mental health risk factors that if moderated and eliminated can lead to better physical health. The third element of the biopsychosocial perspective, social context, is as equally prevalent and enhanced from participation in the sport of tennis as the physical and psychological contexts are. Murray (2000) stated that countless psychologists and physicians prescribe physical activity as either a primary or secondary treatment for numerous emotional problems. The many emotional benefits of tennis can put tennis at the top of the list as a prescription to certain emotional difficulties. There are a plethora of ways to socialize through the sport of tennis by way of group lessons, leagues, tournaments, doubles play, mixed doubles play, family events, and more. The United States Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation have websites that make it very easy to join the local tennis communities worldwide. Further, certified professionals around the world are able to help people of all ages, genders, and skill levels to begin tennis with the best start to enjoy a lifetime of fun and health (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009).
Gender and age perspectives which are part of the social context are highly evident in the sport of tennis.
Tennis sisters and super stars, Venus and Serena Williams, like to remind people that tennis is as much of a sport for women as it is for men (Cleveland Clinic, 2013). Brown (1983; as cited in Groppel & DiNubile, 2009) determined in an analysis strictly on females that tennis was an opportunity where females could gain achievement and improve self-esteem. Regarding age, tennis offers competition in age-groups ranging from the under eight division to the over 90 division, which is very rare in other sports. The many studies that have revealed physical, psychological, and social health benefits of tennis have shown the same well-rounded benefits for all ages, including old and elderly players. For example, on the social front, the interaction that is encouraged through tennis helps ward off loneliness in individuals, especially as they age and may have lost loved ones (Marks, 1998, Bailey & McLaren, 2005, Kolt, Driver & Giles, 2004; as cited in Marks, 2006). Most importantly, the large majority of people who take up the sport of tennis continue to play for their entire life making this activity an attractive sport to grow old with (Pluim, et al., …show more content…
2006).
The benefits of physical activity have been recognized by experts in numerous fields for many years, but what tennis has to offer its participants goes above and beyond ordinary exercise. Tennis is invigorating, it is satisfying, it is a great departure from the stress of life, and it is almost never too late to begin (Cleveland Clinic, 2013). Other sports may also provide fun and health benefits, but no other sport has garnered such acclaim for its superb physical, mental, and emotional health benefits (Groppel & DiNubile, 2009). This trio of benefits embodies the mind-body model of health that the biopsychosocial perspective exemplifies (Straub, 2012). Tennis is thought by many, and rightly so, as the “sport for a lifetime”, but it should also be known as the “best biopsychosocial sport for a lifetime”.
References
Cleveland Clinic.
(2013). Tennis: Stronger mind & body. Heart and Vascular Health &
Prevention. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/exercise/tennis.aspx
Ferrauti, A., Weber, K., & Strüder, H. K. (1997). Effects of tennis training on lipid metabolism and lipoproteins in recreational players. British journal of sports medicine, 31(4), 322-327.
Groppel, J., & DiNubile, N. (2009). Tennis: for the health of it. The Physician and Sports
Medicine, 37(2), 40-50.
Houston, T. K., Meoni, L. A., Ford, D. E., Brancati, F. L., Cooper, L. A., Levine, D. M., &
Klag, M. J. (2002). Sports ability in young men and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Medicine, 112(9), 689-695.
Marks, B. (2006). Health benefits for veteran (senior) tennis players. British Journal of Sports
Medicine, 40(5), 469-476.
Murray, John. (2000). Psychological benefits of tennis. Mental Equipment. Retrieved from http://www.tennisserver.com/mental-equipment/me_00_03.html Pluim, B. M., Miller, S., Dines, D., Renström, P. A., Windler, G., Norris, B., & Martin, K.
(2007). Sport science and medicine in tennis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 41(11),
703-704.
Pluim, B. M., Staal, J., Marks, B. L., Miller, S., & Miley, D. (2007). Health benefits of tennis.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 41(11), 760-768.
Straub, R. (2012). Health Psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (3rd ed.). New York: Worth
Publishers
Swank, A. M., Condra, S., & Yates, J. W. (1998). Effect of long term tennis participation on aerobic power, body composition, muscular strength, flexibility and serum lipids. Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal, 8(2), 99-112.
Vodak, P. A., Wood, P. D., Haskell, W. L., & Williams, P. T. (1980). HDL-cholesterol and other plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in middle-aged male and female tennis players. Metabolism, 29(8), 745-752.
Walker, J. (2013). Reducing cardiovascular disease risk: cholesterol and diet. Nursing Standard.
28(2), 48-55.
Wetzel KC & Harmeyer KM. (1999). Mind Games: The Aging Brain and How to Keep it
Healthy. Albany, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning