New Yorkers are coping with Parkinson’s disease by playing pingpong — here's how it's helping them
Coping with a chronic disease like Parkinson's can be quite hard as people experience several life changes. However, there are quite a few things that can be done to help slow down the progression of the disease and to cope with the changes brought about by it. Exercise is one such thing. So recently, New Yorkers have discovered that playing ping pong might be one of the best forms of exercise for people with Parkinson's. It could help with symptoms like tremors and depression caused by the neurodegenerative disorder, as per New York Post.
Although the disease does not have a cure, many people have found it beneficial to play ping pong at SPIN New York Flatiron organized by PingPongParkinson. The organization's aim is to start a global sports movement that would be accessible and helpful for people with a Parkinson's diagnosis, as per their website. They started in March 2017 with the aim to halt the progression of Parkinson's in people. It was created on a model based on neuroplasticity, a concept that states that the brain could form new neurons and connections with the help of "challenging physical exercise." They explained that "balance, hand-eye coordination, quick rhythmic movements and concentration" associated with table tennis can help "fire up" a person's neurons and produce dopamine.
Social engagement and community are other factors essential for the improvement in a person's quality of life with Parkinson's; table tennis can help achieve that too. "Ping pong provides physical exercise, which is one of the most effective ways to improve Parkinson's symptoms. It is also a brain sport and helps to relieve cognitive symptoms - you have to think on your feet, use visual attention and develop quick reaction time," Dr. Elizabeth Kera, a neuropsychologist and the director of Hackensack University Medical Center in the Psychology Division, was quoted as saying by PingPongParkinson. The organization now has over 300 chapters in over 25 countries and many participants believe that they have hugely benefited from playing the game, as per New York Post.
"I don’t know if it’s because of the pingpong or not, but I started with a tremor in my right hand, which I now don’t have,” Joan Greenberg, a retired writer and mosaic artist, told the outlet. "It’s created a social circle of people who are in the same situation. Not only that we have Parkinson’s, but we’re the type of people who want to do something proactive for ourselves." The association was started by a Croatian-American musician and rock star, Nenad Bach, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2010. He couldn't play his guitar anymore because of his disease, but after he started playing table tennis, he could do it again after some time. Hence, he decided to help other people with his discovery as well.
"I had to stop performing publicly. After I started playing [pingpong, after three or four] months, I could play again. If I help myself, I said, why not others? That’s where everything started," Bach explained. "It’s a joy for me to play. I don’t know how to explain to you. I cannot wait to play again. It’s just like drinking water— you’re thirsty tomorrow and in the afternoon and the evening and the next day. Water is always welcome." Stephanie Chen, UPenn Neurosciences, class of 2024, had been interested in table tennis since she was 9 years old, and had a grandpa who was diagnosed with Parkinson's when she was in high school. Her interest in both areas led her to discover the New York organization, and she decided to start a similar form of therapy for interested people in her area as well. "It is a very valuable and meaningful experience and it will remain with me forever," Chen expressed, as per Penn Medicine.