MUSC Wellness Center Summer 2022

10 | www.We l l nes sCenterMagaz i ne. com One of the fastest-growing games in the nation could be one you have never heard of. And, if you have heard it mentioned, you may ask yourself why its name is so perplexing. The game is pickleball, and it’s sweeping the nation and the greater Charleston area. For those that are unfamiliar with it, pickleball is a paddle sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong. USA Pickleball’s What is Pickleball resource page provides a throughout breakdown of the game. CHSToday currently lists 16 playing sites in the Charleston area, including the MUSC Wellness Center, which is home to seven courts, four on the rooftop and three indoors. Members have the luxury of reserving outdoor courts for private play, and the facility hosts open play throughout the week. Beginner clinics are offered on a regular basis, and Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) certified staff are regularly on-site to assist members during open play. A student-led Pickleball Club also just started. The Wellness Center has observed a significant increase in the number of players who participate in pickleball programs which reflects national trends. A 2021 report from the Sports and Fitness Association named pickleball the fastest growing sport in the United States, with approximately 4.2 million players – a 21.3% increase over the past three years. How do you explain the popularity of pickleball? Simply take a look at who is playing the game, the ease of access to places to play and the many benefits that come from participating in this reasonably recent form of fun and exercise. PICKLEBALL: JUST PLAIN FUN Photo by Mark Staff Photography. Photo by Mark Staff Photography.

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