Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Steven Halcrow

Keywords

Pickleball, older adult, athlete, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk, aerobic fitness, aging, physical activity

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Pickleball has grown rapidly in popularity among older adults and is often promoted as a beneficial form of exercise for cardiovascular health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether senior athletes who participate in pickleball exhibit significantly better cardiovascular fitness compared to peers participating in other sports at the North Dakota Senior Games.

Methods: The data was collected through the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE), a multi-component fitness screening conducted by the University of North Dakota’s Physical Therapy Department. The screening included assessments of vital signs, body mass index (BMI), and mobility. Participants voluntarily enrolled in the screening and consented to the use of their data. Cardiovascular indicators measured included systolic and diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare results between 102 non-pickleball athletes and 49 pickleball athletes.

Results: No statistically significant differences were found between pickleball and non-pickleball senior athletes for any of the cardiovascular indicators. This included systolic blood pressure (p = 0.404), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.297), oxygen saturation (p = 0.317), waist circumference (p = 0.073), and waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.145), leading to the failure to reject the null hypotheses.

Discussion: Although senior pickleball athletes did not show superior cardiovascular health metrics compared to those in other sports, they demonstrated equivalent cardiovascular profiles. Given pickleball's accessibility, enjoyment, and ability to meet recommended physical activity guidelines, it remains a valuable and feasible exercise option for older adults. Further research is warranted to explore long-term adherence and motivational factors contributing to exercise sustainability in this population.

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