School Tennis for Physical Educators

Why Tennis in School?

• "Playing tennis is an excellent way to engage kids in regular physical activity to help them live longer, healthier lives." (American Heart Association)
• Tennis players score higher in vigor, optimism, and self-esteem, and lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety, and tension than other athletes and non-athletes. (Dr. Joan Finn and colleagues at Southern Connecticut University)
• Tennis outperforms golf, running, weight-lifting, and many other sports in developing positive personality characteristics like sociability, mental focus, competitiveness, adventurousness, spontaneity, creativity, and assertiveness. (Dr. Jim Galvin, author of The Exercise Habit)
• The average person burns more calories playing tennis than doing low impact aerobics, weightlifting, riding a stationary bike, hiking, walking a golf course, or playing softball, baseball, or volleyball.  (www.nutristrategy.com)
• Over 20% of children ages 6-18 are overweight, and that number has increased 200% over the past 3 decades. A recent study by the National Association for Sports & Physical Education showed that  physically fit children performed better academically. Tennis is one of the few sports that can be played for a lifetime and uniquely benefits children like no other sport. Through tennis kids gain both physical and psychological benefits.