Success StoryGet Healthy with Pickleball



Get Healthy with Pickleball

Author: Katherine Alexander

Planning Unit: Daviess County CES

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

Plan of Work: Healthy Lifestyles

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in America over the last two years, according to many sources such as Pickleball Player; Pickleball, USA; and the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. It has grown in popularity because most ages, body types, and skill levels can play. It is an easy, affordable, accessible, fun, social, and friendly game that combines features of badminton, ping-pong, and tennis. It is played with a large paddle and plastic ball on an indoor or outdoor court similar in size to a badminton court with a net like that in tennis, according to USA Pickleball. Pickleball Player, SFIA, and USA Pickleball all agree that beginners can learn quickly, and many become core players, meaning they play eight or more times a year.

To help others Get Healthy with Pickleball in Kentucky, the County Extension agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Henderson County taught thirty Green River Area extension Homemaker members Lesson basic concepts and rules of pickleball. The lesson also includes benefits of pickleball. The majority of participants were women and ranged in age from forty-five to eighty-five years old.

Following the lesson, evaluations were given out to club leaders. For Daviess County homemkaers, ten particpants returned evaluations.  One-hundred percent of participants learned the basic concepts and rules of pickleball. One hundred percent of participants learned why pickleball is so popular. One hundred percent of participants recognize the physical, social, and mental health benefits of pickleball. One-hundred person of participants can identify local pickleball resources.

Twenty-five percent of participants reported they intend to play pickleball.

Participants specifically shared the most significant things they learned from the lesson were that "Pickleball is for all ages, to be mindful of pickleball in the community, learning the rules and court dimensions of pickleball and they found they history of pickleball interesting".







Stories by Katherine Alexander


Bingocize

about 2 years ago by Katherine Alexander

Bingocize® was created by Dr. Jason Crandall,Co-Director/Co-Founder at the WKU Center for Applied Sc... Read More


Battle of the Border Challenge

about 2 years ago by Katherine Alexander

Battle of the Border ChallengeLow levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental ... Read More


Stories by Daviess County CES


Increasing Fair Participation: One Project at a Time

Increasing Fair Participation: One Project at a Time

about 2 years ago by Sharayha Clingenpeel

Over the last couple of years, the number of entries at the county fair has started to decrease. In ... Read More


Blender Bike at Camp Curiosity

Blender Bike at Camp Curiosity

about 2 years ago by Sharayha Clingenpeel

The migrant population is one of the fastest growing populations in Daviess County. All youth from t... Read More