Physical activity after cancer treatment can be beneficial to survivors, improving strength and other physical health metrics, as well as improving mental health and possibly lowering the risk of recurrence. However, it can be difficult for survivors to meet physical activity guidelines, for a variety of reasons. A new study has found something that may help: pickleball.

Pickleball - an increasingly popular sport that’s essentially a ping pong-tennis-badminton hybrid - involves play with others, and the social aspect may help lure more people into getting physical activity. That was part of the idea behind the the Moffitt Cancer Center and the YMCA of the Suncoast's Project Rally pilot program, which is earmarked to adult cancer survivors. 

The researchers behind the program, whose results were published in the journal Healthcare, say somewhere between 53% and 83% of survivors don’t meet recommended weekly physical activity levels, showing the need for supportive and enjoyable activity programs. Pickleball has the kind of social aspect and fun that could fit the bill.

To see if and how well a pickleball program for survivors would work, the researchers learned about the program experiences of 18 cancer survivors, mostly women who ranged in age from 47 to 76, and five of their cancer-free loved ones, all of whom were men with a median age of 58. Many of the survivors had undergone treatments including surgery, chemo, and radiation, and they’d had a variety of types of cancer, including breast. 

The program, which ran from September 2023 through January 2024, included a coach and a trainer. 

The study showed that recruitment was good, as 95.5% of survivors and 77.8% of loved ones who had expressed interest did end up joining. More than 85% of survivors completed the program. Survivors also increased their weekly moderate-to-strenuous physical activity levels by an average of more than 80 minutes, while showing improvements in physical strength and endurance. The social aspect was beneficial, as well, with many reporting making new friends and appreciating the support of their YMCA coach.

Dr. Nathan Parker, the study’s lead author and researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center, says, “This study shows that pickleball is not only fun, but it can also be a powerful tool for improving the physical and emotional well-being of cancer survivors. The success of Project Rally highlights how community-based programs can provide a meaningful way for cancer survivors to stay active, build connections and improve their overall quality of life. The YMCA has been an outstanding research partner, and we’re excited about the potential to expand this program and help even more survivors.”

You can read the full study here.