Abstract
This study evaluated the health profiles and body mass index (BMI) of older individuals while comparing their skill levels in pickleball and lawn tennis, with emphasis on serving, dinking, volleying, forehand, and backhand techniques. Twenty individuals, ten from Agoo, La Union, Philippines and ten from Asingan, Pangasinan, Philippines who were 60 years of age or older, were purposefully chosen. A questionnaire and skill evaluations utilizing the USAPA Player Skill Rating Definitions were used to gather data, which were then assessed by seasoned coaches and senior technical officials. Descriptive statistics analyzed BMI and health conditions, weighted means assessed skill levels, and the MannWhitney U test determined significant differences between the sports. Results showed that 80% of participants had normal BMI, with common health concerns including eyesight problems (55%), arthritis (45%), and diabetes (20%), suggesting that regular participation in racket sports supports physical health and functional independence. Skill assessments revealed that pickleball players generally achieved higher ratings in serving, volleying, and forehand classified as “Advanced Competitive”, while lawn tennis players excelled in forehand due to repeated rallying and servevolley drills, with overall skill levels classified as “Advanced Intermediate.” Significant differences were observed in serving, dinking, backhand, and forehand skills, reflecting the distinct technical demands of each sport, while volleying showed no significant difference. These findings highlight that engagement in racket sports enhances technical proficiency, coordination, reaction time, and overall physical and mental well-being in older adults, supporting their inclusion in community-based recreational programs to promote healthy aging.
Keywords: Health Conditions, Lawn Tennis, Physical Health, Pickleball, Senior Citizens.