United States Grassroots Table Tennis Organization (USGTTO) purpose is to work together with United States of America Table Tennis (USATT), Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA), Table Tennis Organizations, and communities to develop all aspects of our sport. The USGTTO main focus is to develop strong youth & adult grass-root programs, Paralympic programs, National scholarship program, clubs, senior activities, and tournaments throughout the United States.
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Playing improves hand-eye coordination and
it stimulates mental alertness, concentration and tactical strategy. This makes
it the perfect game for young people to sharpen reflexes, and for older people
to refine tactics.
Develops mental acuity. The
speed, spin and placement of the ball are crucial in table tennis, and
practiced 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.
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.
Burns calories. A
150-pound person can burn 272 calories by playing table tennis for an hour. Since
the sport is entertaining and addictive, it can be a fun and easy way to burn
calories.
Offers a social outlet. Whether
you play in the community center or at home with friends, table tennis offers a
great way to bond with other people while you lose weight. Because young and
old people can play the game, it can help improve communication and build
relationships, irrespective of age. Playing at home with siblings or
parents can bring family members closer and enable them to spend more
quality time with each other.
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.
Improves coordination.
Following the ping pong ball as it moves quickly toward you and following its
trajectory as your opponent hits it helps improve hand-eye coordination.
Improves balance.
Staying balanced and being able to quickly change direction are key to being
successful in a ping pong rally. This is especially important for the elderly.
Stimulates various parts of the brain. By
anticipating an opponent’s shot, a player uses the prefrontal cortex for
strategic planning. The aerobic exercise from the physical activity of the game
stimulates the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is responsible for
allowing us to form and retain long-term facts and events.
