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Abstract

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 5, 2025. Limited information exists on pickleball’s impact on physical function in older adults (65+ years), despite reported health benefits. PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study evaluated the physical function of active older adult (OA) women and men recreational pickleball players via handgrip strength (HGS) and fatigue (HGF), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test, as well as the short physical performance battery (SPPB) compared to sex-matched young adult (YA) controls. METHODS: Thirty YA (18-26 years; n=15 women/men) and 27 OA (65-89 years; n=13 women, n=15 men) participants who played pickleball at least thrice weekly were assessed for physical function outcomes. A two-way ANOVA (age x sex) with repeated measures and Sidak post-hoc test were used (p<0.05). RESULTS: Compared to sex-matched YA, OA women and men had significantly lower absolute HGS (OA women: 22.4±5.8 vs YA women: 31.7±5.6kg; OA men: 40.8±7.3 vs YA men: 50.5±8.9kg) and relative HGS (OA women: 8.7±2.3 vs YA women: 11.1±1.9kg/m2; OA men: 12.3±1.8 vs YA men: 15.0±2.7kg/m2). Absolute HGF followed the absolute HGS results. There was also a main effect for OAs to have lower SPPB chair sit-to-stand scores than YAs. In contrast, compared to sex-matched YAs, no significant differences were observed in OA women and men for 6MWD percent predicted (range: 104.6-115.4%) and SPPB walking speed and balance scores. CONCLUSIONS: In OA women and men recreational pickleballers, lower body physical function of walking speed/distance and balance did not show age-related differences compared to sex-matched YA pickleballers, but lower body strength and upper body strength/fatigue did present age-related declines.

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