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Table Tennis for Health and Wellbeing: A Rapid Scoping Review
Louis Moustakas1, Kathrin Patzsch1
1Institute for Sport and Sustainable Development, University of Applied Sciences Kufstein, Andreas-Hofer Str. 7, 6330 Kufstein, Austria.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 26, 2026
Summary
Table tennis shows promise for improving physical, cognitive, and social health in recreational settings. More research is needed to confirm these benefits and guide effective implementation for health programs.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Public Health
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Table tennis is increasingly used for health promotion, but evidence is fragmented.
- Recreational table tennis lacks comprehensive outcome and implementation data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review health outcomes of recreational table tennis.
- To identify how table tennis health programs are delivered.
Main Methods:
- Rapid scoping review of 17 English peer-reviewed articles (2010-2025).
- Searches in two databases plus reference screening.
- Studies charted for methodology, intervention, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Table tennis associated with improved physical fitness, balance, agility, and body composition.
- Cognitive benefits include enhanced executive functioning and visual-perceptual skills.
- Psychological and social outcomes showed improvements in self-efficacy, emotional regulation, and social interaction.
Conclusions:
- Table tennis demonstrates potential as a health-enhancing activity.
- Methodological limitations (small samples, reporting gaps) restrict findings' generalizability.
- Further rigorous evaluation is necessary for trainers and health professionals.
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