Author: Ashley Board
Planning Unit: Caldwell County CES
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Plan of Work: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
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 Caldwell County taught twenty-one individuals basic concepts and rules of pickleball. The lesson also includes benefits of pickleball.
Following the lesson, agents collected evaluations from participants. 96% of participants learned the basic concepts and rules of pickleball. 92 % of participants learned why pickleball is so popular. 92 % of participants recognize the physical, social, and mental health benefits of pickleball. 81% of participants can identify local pickleball resources.
One participant stated, I will try and organize a game day with family and friends." Another stated that the lesson "was really informative and motivated me to try it."
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