Tennis across the lifespan: a review of functional and biological adaptations linked to healthy aging
This review of existing evidence reports that regular tennis participation is associated with better cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, bone, cognitive and psychological measures, and that long-term play in veteran and masters players may soften age-related declines. Most evidence is observational. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review examines evidence on biological adaptations linked to tennis across the lifespan and its possible contribution to healthy aging and longevity. [1]
The synthesis includes studies involving veteran and masters tennis players. [1]
Regular tennis participation is reported as associated with better cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, bone, cognitive, perceptual and psychological measures, while much of the evidence remains observational. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Comprehensive review of existing evidence (abstract only)
- Population / context
- People who play tennis across the lifespan, including veteran and masters tennis players; the abstract gives no participant numbers or age ranges.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Publication status
- Preprint · peer-review status not confirmed
- Original publication
- October 15, 2026
Review asks whether tennis supports healthy aging
Staying physically functional and independent as we age is a major challenge in exercise and health science. Physical activity is widely seen as a key factor in healthy aging, but different sports may bring different biological benefits. This review asks what is known about tennis, an activity that combines aerobic and anaerobic exercise with coordination, cognitive engagement, perception and functional movement such as balance, agility, change of direction and motor coordination. It summarizes current evidence on biological adaptations linked to tennis across the lifespan and weighs tennis's possible contribution to healthy aging and longevity.
Supporting source [1]
Synthesis of studies, including veteran and masters players
This is a comprehensive review that synthesizes current evidence rather than presenting new measurements. It draws on available studies on tennis participation, including studies involving veteran and masters tennis players. The abstract does not report how many studies were included, how participants were selected, how long they were followed, or which specific outcomes were measured and how.
Supporting source [1]
Associated benefits, but mostly observational evidence
The review reports that regular tennis participation is associated with improved cardiovascular and cardiometabolic health, better musculoskeletal function, greater bone mineral density, maintained cognitive and perceptual abilities and better psychological well-being. Studies of veteran and masters players suggest long-term participation may attenuate age-related declines in physical and cognitive function and support successful aging and quality of life. Emerging research points to possible benefits for neuromuscular function, sensorimotor performance, perceptual-cognitive abilities and functional independence. The authors stress that much of the evidence remains observational, so these are associations, not proven causes, and that further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify mechanisms.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report study numbers, participant selection, follow-up, specific outcome measures or effect sizes. The authors state that much of the evidence is observational and that longitudinal studies are needed.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Dualde-Beltrán D, Crespo M, Martínez-Gallego R. · europepmc.org · October 15, 2026