What's the difference between table tennis and ping pong? According to Ping Pong England, there’s no discernable difference between the two. ‘The serious players exclusively call their sport table tennis, with many taking offence at the title ping pong, concerned that the onomatopoeic frivolity of the latter is detrimental to the image of the sport,’ they say. In 1901 two rival organisations were set up – the Table Tennis Association first and the Ping Pong Association four days later. They’ve long died out but while the two terms are interchangeable, the International Table Tennis Federation still prefer people to use the term ‘table tennis’ when talking about the rules of the sport. But if you think that table tennis/ping pong is just a bit of fun, think again. The sport has all kinds of physical, cerebral and emotional benefits attached to it: Develops mental acuity  The speed, spin and placement of the ball are crucial in table tennis, and professional players are highly skilled in both creating and solving puzzles involving these three attributes. Improves reflexes Due to the fast-paced, short-distance nature of the sport, both gross and fine muscle movements are improved. The game is distinguished by bursts of exertion and recovery, leading to fast-twitch muscle development. Playing improves hand-eye coordination And it also stimulates mental alertness, concentration and tactical strategy. This makes it the perfect game for younger players to sharpen their reflexes, and for older people to refine tactics. It’s easy on the joints.  Have you had knee surgery, back problems, tired of twisting your ankles? Try table tennis. It’s a great way to improve your leg, arm and core strength without overtaxing your joints. It burns calories A 68kg person can burn 272 calories by playing table tennis for an hour. Considering the fact that the sport is entertaining and addictive, it can be a fun and easy way to burn calories. Whether you play in the community centre or at home with friends, table tennis offers a great way to bond with other people. Because young and old people can play the game, it can help improve communication and build relationships, irrespective of age. And as we already pointed out, you can play it in bars. Keeps your brain sharp Alzheimer’s Weekly reports a clear increase in motor skills and cognitive awareness from playing table tennis, after a series of preliminary clinical studies in Japan found that table tennis markedly increases the flow of blood to the brain, and could possibly even prevent dementia. Stimulates different parts of the brain By anticipating an opponent’s shot, a player uses the pre frontal cortex for strategic planning. The aerobic exercise from the physical activity of the game stimulates the hippo-campus, the part of the brain that is responsible for allowing us to form and retain long-term facts and events. Improves coordination Following the ball as it moves quickly toward you, and following its trajectory as your opponent hits it helps improve hand-eye coordination. Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2017/07/12/10-unexpectedly-great-benefits-of-playing-table-tennis- 6771086/?ito=cbshare Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

Is there demand for a new table tennis club in Bedfordshire?