Pickleball Can Help Mesothelioma Survivors Stay Active
The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa, Florida is among top hospitals in the U.S. specializing in mesothelioma. Its Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Center is renowned for its clinical trials, advancing innovative treatments for this malignant cancer. Moffitt researchers are now reporting the results of a study on the benefits of exercise for patients with cancers like mesothelioma – specifically the benefits of pickleball.
Pickleball is the No. 1 fastest-growing sport in America. Moffitt reports a local pickleball program boosts physical and social well-being. “Project Rally” lets survivors play a game while getting exercise. This can help lower the negative effects of mesothelioma and its treatments. Pickleball is a sport people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy.
The study included 23 people: 18 were cancer survivors and 5 were family or friends with no cancer history. Most were women between the ages of 47 and 76 with various types of cancer. Many had undergone surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments before joining the program.
Participants in the study reported notable increases in physical activity. Survivors increased their weekly moderate-to-strenuous exercise more than 80 minutes, incorporating more intense workouts. The program also improved social support, with survivors experiencing more companionship during their physical activities.
Having Fun While Mesothelioma Survivors Keep Active
Such positive results from Moffitt’s study could lead to the development of more programs to help mesothelioma survivors lead fit and active lifestyles. Nathan Parker, Ph.D., lead author of the study says, “We’re excited about the potential to expand this program and help even more survivors,”
“This study shows that pickleball is not only fun, but it can also be a powerful tool for improving the physical and emotional well-being of cancer survivors,” Parker adds. “The success of Project Rally highlights how community-based programs can provide a meaningful way for cancer survivors to stay active, build connections and improve their overall quality of life.”
Participants played under the guidance of personal trainer and certified pickleball coach Alex de Cerqueira Santos. The coach encouraged them to play for at least an hour twice a week. After undergoing a fitness assessment, organizers introduced each participant to the game.
“The best part was watching the progress of the participants. These were people who never played pickleball before, and some of those participants were not active at all,” de Cerqueira Santos shares. “To be out here, having a group experience, making friendships, bonding — many of the participants started to become friends outside of here — and I think that’s an extremely important part of the project.”
Benefits of Exercise for People With Mesothelioma
Exercise for mesothelioma can benefit nearly every survivor. Light to moderate cardio activities like pickleball or walking can improve lung function and heart health.
Daily exercise can also improve your immune system, helping you better fight cancer. This makes treatments like immunotherapy and chemo work more effectively. Some studies show it may even lower the risk of mesothelioma recurrence.
Pickleball study participant Mickey Schwartz says after his cancer diagnosis he felt he was living in a fog. Joining the pickleball study is exactly what he says he needed. “I don’t think I would be exaggerating if I said that it was life-changing for me,” says Schwartz.
“This program got me off the couch, got me active again, and not just playing pickleball,” Schwartz adds. “I started kayaking again, which I hadn’t done for a while, and just doing things around the house that I had been neglecting. This just got me going again. It got me back into life again.”
Pickleball Origins and Future
Pickleball started gaining popularity in 2014 and took off during the global 2020 Covid pandemic. Inventors created the sport in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, Washington.
Legend has it, several fathers and their children grew bored with their usual summertime activities. So they used some simple equipment they had on hand and created some rules for a new game they could play together.
There are different versions explaining the origin of the unusual name “pickleball.” One story suggests the wife of one of the sport’s creators started calling it pickleball because the mixture of sports reminded her of a “pickle boat crew,” when oarsmen are chosen from the leftovers of other boats.
One of the game’s inventors has said the name comes from a dog named Pickles. The playful pup would chase the ball and run away with it during the game.
Pickleball Statistics
- 36.5 million people played at least once as of the 2023 APP Pickleball Participation Report
- 15,910 pickleball courts have opened so far in the country
- 4,000 new places to play were added in 2024
To play the game, you’ll need wooden or composite paddles, which are double the size used for ping pong. The ball is made of perforated plastic, similar to a wiffle ball, but bigger, harder and heavier. The holes in the ball are meant to disrupt airflow and ensure a more consistent bounce and trajectory.
You can play singles or doubles, like tennis, on a court the same size as a badminton court. The net between the players is 34 inches from the ground at the center.