Tennis/Table Tennis

      

[Walking, Walking with aid, Standing, Standing with support, Sitting, Transferring, Sitting with support]

The action of swinging a tennis racket in standing or sitting is an excellent activity for getting your heart rate up and activating your back and abdominal muscles.

Tennis

A walking tennis game might be something that is of interest to you.  Local tennis clubs often offer opportunities to play walking tennis or tennis-based games that will suit people who can stand and step but not run.  Contact your local club to find out what they and their coaches offer.

Tennis in sitting

Playing tennis in sitting with a friend or children you have in the family in the back garden or local park is a great way to get movement in the middle of your back, your abdominal muscles working when you reach out, down and up to hit the ball. 

Seated tennis-based activities may also be part of what is offered by your local tennis club.

Wheelchair Tennis

If you have access to a sports wheelchair – you might want to consider playing wheelchair tennis.  Your local tennis club will be able to provide you with information about opportunities at their club or the surrounding area and put you in touch with  coaches.  You might also want to look at information available via www.disabilitysportwales.com

Table Tennis

Table tennis might be an activity you want to try – especially if you are quite stable in standing but struggle to walk too far.

Similarly, table tennis can work well from sitting, especially in a manual wheelchair so you can rotate a bit and move as you play. 

If Table Tennis is something you want to try, see if you can find a local club or join a multisport session.

Balloon batting

If moving quickly is a challenge for you, why not replace a tennis ball for a balloon. Balloon batting is an excellent activity to do from a wheelchair or in standing.  Reaching up, forward and to the side will not only get your heart beating faster, but it’s a great activity for your core muscles too.