AARP mixes it up on the court to promote brain health

Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing participation sport, and in the Lynchburg area, AARP is taking advantage of that increasing popularity as part of its efforts to keep older Americans’ bodies — and minds — healthy. AARP conducted a pickleball event for participants age 50-plus this month in Lynchburg, the fourth such event in the Hill City in 2024. By design, things can get really mixed up.

More on the mixing part later, but first, the Sports and Fitness Industry Association reports pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in this country for the last three years with participation growing more than 220% over that time. It combines elements from both tennis and table tennis that, while being quite active, allows players from many generations to take part.

“It does not overextend your body, even though it can be challenging,” says Suzanne Franklin, AARP Virginia volunteer in Lynchburg. “A lot of people play pickleball that aren’t as agile as they used to be but want to play. It’s also fun because all ages play it.”

Along with pickleball’s exercise and physical health benefits, the sport is an excellent match with AARP’s brain health initiative. Associate State Director Brian Jacks says participation in such events promotes both social interactions and learning new things, two key components of this initiative — and that’s where “mixing it up” comes in.

Participants in these events do not play together as a single team from start to finish. Instead, they are rotated among court partners from one game to the next.

“That involves the social aspect, getting to know new people, integrating one’s play into the approaches of others and it also involves engaging your brain,” says Jacks. “When you change up the teams and are playing with different people and different styles, that makes you think, and that incorporates more learning.”

And by day’s end, these events should also help tired participants engage in yet another AARP brain health pillar: restorative sleep.