Table Tennis as Therapy for Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline: Enhancing Brain Health Through Sport

Research has shown that table tennis, also known as "the world's number one brain sport," provides significant therapeutic benefits for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive conditions. Playing table tennis engages various brain regions, supporting memory, coordination, and cognitive resilience. It is a highly interactive sport that requires swift reactions, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking, stimulating critical areas in the brain that often weaken with age.

This high-paced activity offers benefits that go beyond physical exercise. Engaging in table tennis has been associated with increased brain volume, improved visuospatial skills, and enhanced executive functions such as decision-making and problem-solving. These cognitive benefits are attributed to its aerobic intensity and demand for rapid hand-eye coordination, which, in turn, encourage neuroplasticity and the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – a protein linked to memory retention and cognitive flexibility​

Additionally, table tennis fosters social interaction, which is essential in mitigating feelings of isolation and depression often faced by individuals with cognitive decline. The BAT Foundation has pioneered research and special equipment designs aimed at optimizing these therapeutic effects, showing that even mild forms of Alzheimer’s can benefit from consistent table tennis play​

By incorporating table tennis into Alzheimer’s care, therapists and caregivers can provide a drug-free, engaging activity that supports brain health, enhances quality of life, and may slow the progression of cognitive impairment.

乒乓球作为阿尔茨海默病和认知衰退的治疗方式：通过运动增强大脑健康”

研究表明，乒乓球（被誉为“世界上最好的脑力运动”）对阿尔茨海默病和其他认知疾病的患者有显著的疗效。乒乓球运动需要大脑多区域的协调配合，尤其在记忆、协调性和认知抗衰方面有益。乒乓球是一项互动性极强的运动，要求快速反应、空间意识和战略思维，能够有效刺激那些常因衰老而减弱的大脑关键区域。

这一高强度运动的好处不仅限于身体锻炼。乒乓球运动已被发现可以增加大脑体积，提高视觉空间技能和执行功能，如决策和问题解决。这些认知提升归功于其有氧强度和对手眼协调的高要求，从而促进神经可塑性和大脑来源的神经营养因子（BDNF）的释放，这种蛋白质与记忆力和认知灵活性密切相关​

此外，乒乓球还鼓励社交互动，对减少认知衰退患者面临的孤独和抑郁有帮助。BAT基金会（BAT Foundation）在研究和设计专用器材方面开创了先河，旨在优化乒乓球的治疗效果，显示出即便是轻度阿尔茨海默病患者也能从定期乒乓球训练中受益​

通过在阿尔茨海默病护理中融入乒乓球运动，治疗师和护理人员可以提供一种无药物、富有吸引力的活动，有助于维持大脑健康，提高生活质量，并可能减缓认知衰退的进程。