Wheelchair Tennis - Cardiovascular Exercise

Participating in sports activities is an excellent way to get good cardiovascular exercise, make new friends who share common interests, and satisfy the competitive beast within all humanity. People in wheelchairs are no exception. Thus, wheelchair tennis is one of the fastest growing sports.

One has to wonder how wheelchair tennis differs from the able-bodies version. With the speed of the ball, pumping a manual chair, controlling the racket seems too difficult. Surely, accommodating rules apply to make the game a little more handicapped-user friendly.

Actually, wheelchair tennis is played exactly the same as regular tennis, with only one alteration: instead of once, the wheelchair tennis player can allow the ball to bounce twice. The disabled player is in peak physical condition. Also, the ability to totally control the wheelchair is a must. With excellent upper body strength, a mastery of the wheelchair, and the extra bounce, individuals with limited mobility can play tennis with other people in wheelchairs or stand up players. As with any tennis game, wheelchair competitors can play a singles or doubles game.

Speaking from personal experience, wheelchair tennis would require an exceptional athlete. Although the sports wheelchair is usually constructed with minimal seating and frame, for maneuverability, having control of the ball and the court is an awesome feat. For instance, anyone in a wheelchair knows, pumping a wheelchair with one hand will result in running in circles. So, how do disabled tennis players quickly reach the ball, have the racket ready, and keep the wheelchair from going in circles? Forget thinking wheelchair sports are any less challenging and competitive. Actually the opposite is probably true.

For the handicapped, wheelchair tennis is an excellent form of exercise, to promote cardiovascular health, maintain and improve strength and agility in the upper body, and also ensure an enjoyable quality of life. Being in a wheelchair should not be a virtual death sentence, or feeling like a health convict in prison. Life can still be rewarding from a chair. Sure, the extra challenges can get old and frustrating, but hopeful the positive aspects of life will far outweigh the negative. Toward that end, wheelchair tennis players are concentrating on abilities, rather than disabilities. So, pick up a racket and master the disability, rather than allowing the handicap to become the master.

Next article: Wheelchair Skiing