Tennis can complement your existing exercise program

We're approaching the end of this year's Australian Open and tennis is a hot topic of conversation.

We caught up with Practice Director of Back In Motion Woodville, SA and avid tennis fan Steve Rodda, to find out how tennis can complement your existing exercise program. 

“The best example of the impact tennis can have on your health is in an elderly client of mine who has amazed and inspired me with his longevity and his commitment to tennis.

“He has played regular competitive tennis from his teens until his mid-80s. The benefits of him undertaking this regular exercise were very clear. The tennis kept him so fit that he rarely needed medical attention.

“I think the other thing that impressed me was that he showed that age is no hindrance to getting involved in energetic sports (obviously with some reduction in aerobic requirements as he got older).

“Current research shows that high intensity interval training is best for fitness and cardiovascular health - tennis is a great high intensity sport and it engages almost all parts of the body.

“This gentleman proved that it is possible to keep up as you age and without serious cardiac side-effects - obviously as he got older he wasn’t Roger Federer, but he still managed to play tennis in a manner that would increase his heart rate on a regular basis.

“Maybe more important is that his influence has been instrumental in his family doing similar.

“He is clearly an inspiration to all his friends and family as well as his fellow tennis club members!”

“If you are thinking of taking up tennis, read our handy tips on doing so safely.”

Author

Steve Rodda, Owner principal of Back In Motion Woodville, SA

Steve has worked as a physio for over 30 years in the country and in the western suburbs of Adelaide, completing a Masters of Manipulative Therapy in 2001. He has taught at undergraduate level clinical placements and tutored in Electrotherapy at the UniSA up until recently.

Steve has a long history of involvement with sporting teams, especially soccer with SASI and also enjoys working with the various spinal conditions seen in general physio practices. On weekends, look out for Steve and his wife Irma on their boat aptly named Hydrotherapy.