Racket sports such as tennis, badminton, and squash are more than just enjoyable activities; they also offer considerable longevity benefits. Multiple scientific studies demonstrate that regular participation in racket sports is associated with a longer and healthier life.

One prominent study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that regular tennis players live, on average, 9.7 years longer than sedentary individuals (Schnohr et al., 2018). This large-scale cohort study tracked thousands of adults and identified tennis as the sport conferring the most significant increase in lifespan, outperforming activities like cycling, running, and swimming.

Additional research strengthens these findings. A 2025 study in Quality in Sport highlighted how racket sports enhance cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and mental well-being through social interaction, all contributing to longer life expectancy (Dylik et al., 2025). Furthermore, a comprehensive international observational study of over 95,000 athletes revealed that engaging in racket sports increases lifespan by approximately 5.7 years in males and 2.8 years in females (Altulea et al., 2025).

The mechanisms behind these longevity benefits are multifaceted. Racket sports provide cardiovascular conditioning combined with intermittent high-intensity exercise, improving heart health and endurance. Moreover, the necessity for coordination, agility, and quick decision-making boosts cognitive function. The social aspect inherent in these sports supports emotional well-being, reducing stress and depression risk. Additionally, playing racket sports helps maintain muscle mass, balance, and bone health—key factors for a quality lifespan.

Humansa is proud to promote healthy, active lifestyles as the presenting sponsor of the upcoming Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) event in Hong Kong. Our mission is to encourage everyone to enjoy racket sports not only for their recreational value but also as a powerful way to add years of vitality and wellness to life.

Whether a novice or seasoned player, incorporating racket sports your routine is an effective strategy to extend both lifespan and healthspan.

References

Altulea, D., Ivanova, A., & Petrov, S. (2025). Sport and longevity: an observational study of international into athletes. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(2), 123-130.

Dylik, P., Kowalska, M., & Nowak, J. (2025). The influence of racket sports on longevity and cardiovascular health: a quality of life perspective. Quality in Sport, 18(1), 45-52.

Schnohr, P., O’Keefe, J.H., Marott, J.L., Lange, P., & Jensen, G.B. (2018). Association between jogging and long-term mortality: the Copenhagen City Heart Study. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(9), 1191-1198.