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Eye on the Ball: Table Tennis as a Pro-Health Form of Leisure-Time Physical Activity

Author

Listed:
  • Elżbieta Biernat

    (Department of Tourism, Collegium of World Economy, Warsaw School of Economics, Al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Sonia Buchholtz

    (Department of Economics I, Collegium of Economic Analysis, Warsaw School of Economics, Al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Justyna Krzepota

    (Department of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, University of Szczecin, Al. Piastów 40b, blok 6, 71-065 Szczecin, Poland)

Abstract

Background: The article is devoted to an analysis of leisure-time (amateur) table tennis in Poland, its practitioners and the regularities of their activity. Methods: The study examined 12,406 persons in 4689 households (representative for the population). We used binary logistic regression and descriptive statistics in order to identify the patterns and determinants of table-tennis practice in Poland. Results: Table tennis is practised by 2.8% of population, and by 6.6% of physically active Poles. Among adults it is predominantly an occasional recreational game, not performed as a sport per se. Among children, it is often the part of physical education (PE) classes. Statistically significant predictors of contact with table tennis are: gender, age, income, place of residence, children in the household and being a student. Conclusions: Due to the undeniable benefits of table tennis (health, pleasure, personal and social development), the sport is recommended for use as a tool in increasing the (overall low) physical activity of Poles. Its popularization requires promotion in the media (as a health-oriented activity) and using various channels, including public places, the workplace (as part of corporate social responsibility) and physical education classes at school.

Suggested Citation

  • Elżbieta Biernat & Sonia Buchholtz & Justyna Krzepota, 2018. "Eye on the Ball: Table Tennis as a Pro-Health Form of Leisure-Time Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:738-:d:140771
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elżbieta Biernat & Sonia Buchholtz, 2016. "The Regularities in Insufficient Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-12, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bernardino J. Sánchez-Alcaraz & Javier Courel-Ibáñez, 2022. "The Role of Padel in Improving Physical Fitness and Health Promotion: Progress, Limitations, and Future Perspectives—A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Jon Mikel Picabea & Jesús Cámara & Javier Yanci, 2021. "Physical Fitness Profiling of National Category Table Tennis Players: Implication for Health and Performance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Ziemowit Bańkosz & Sławomir Winiarski & Ivan Malagoli Lanzoni, 2020. "Gender Differences in Kinematic Parameters of Topspin Forehand and Backhand in Table Tennis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-12, August.
    4. Javier Courel-Ibáñez & Javier Llorca-Miralles, 2021. "Physical Fitness in Young Padel Players: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-10, March.
    5. Francisco Pradas & Ignacio Ara & Víctor Toro & Javier Courel-Ibáñez, 2021. "Benefits of Regular Table Tennis Practice in Body Composition and Physical Fitness Compared to Physically Active Children Aged 10–11 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.

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