We've summarized some interesting findings from Apple's study on the health benefits of pickleball and tennis. Images and information regarding the health or health benefits of pickleball are therefore from Apple and not from us. The study, or rather the article, from Apple is from October 2023 .
Incidentally, Apple WatchOS has supported Pickleball since version 7.x (September 2021), long before Pickleball became more well-known in Switzerland.
Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a range of other chronic illnesses. Finding an activity you enjoy can help you establish a routine, whether that involves picking up a paddle or a racket.
Study summary
The Apple Heart and Movement Study examined pickleball, one of the world's fastest-growing sports, and yielded fascinating insights. Data was collected and analyzed using the Apple Watch to investigate the differences between pickleball and tennis, and their impact on health.
Participants who practiced both pickleball and tennis reached an average peak heart rate of 70 percent of their maximum heart rate during their training sessions. The study also found that pickleball training sessions lasted slightly longer on average than tennis training sessions.
Utah topped the list of states with the most recorded pickleball practice sessions per capita. The research shows that pickleball and tennis are popular among people of all ages, with men tending to play more often than women.
The study emphasized the importance of physical activity for mental health and found that pickleball and tennis players had lower average scores on the depression screening tool than the overall group of participants.
The Apple Heart and Movement Study makes it possible to examine the effects of activity on various health metrics and to deepen our understanding of physical activity and health.
Apple Watch tips for pickleball players
The Apple Watch offers users a range of ways to stay connected and active, healthy, and safe:
- To track pickleball sessions on your Apple Watch, open the Workout app , select "Add Workout," and then choose "Pickleball." To track workout intensity, you can configure your workout view on your Apple Watch to display heart rate zones. You can view activity data in the Fitness app on your iPhone or health data in the Health app on your iPhone or iPad.
- With the new double-tap gesture (Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2), users can, for example, answer and end a call or reply to a message with just one hand while standing in a seat.
- To stay focused, you can create a custom focus on your iPhone to specify when you want to receive alarms and notifications on your Apple Watch, or when you want to let others know you're busy. In Settings, select "Focus," tap "Add," and then choose "Custom" to adjust the options.
- With Apple Pay on the Apple Watch, you can leave your wallet at home and pay directly from your wrist.
- Users can place an AirTag in their pickleball pocket and track its location directly on their Apple Watch. In the "Find My" app, they can choose whether to hear a sound or receive directions to locate the item.
