Pickleball, the sport with a quirky name that has captured the hearts of Americans, is doing more than bringing together players of all ages—it’s proving effective for cancer survivors in improving their physical and social well-being.
The findings, drawn from a recent pilot study led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center, come from Project Rally, a new community-based pickleball program offered in partnership with the YMCA of the Suncoast in Tampa, Florida.
The initial study ran from September 2023 to January 2024 and included 23 participants: 18 cancer survivors and five family members or friends without a history of cancer. The survivors were predominantly women aged 47 to 76 who had experienced various types of cancer, with many having undergone surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy before joining the program. Those without a history of cancer were all men with a median age of 58 years.
The program proved both appealing and accessible to participants, with researchers noting successful recruitment among both cancer survivors and those without a cancer history. Retention rates were also strong, as 85.7% of cancer survivors completed the pickleball program, surpassing the target of 75%.
Project Rally delivered multiple benefits: cancer survivors, on average, increased their weekly moderate-to-strenuous physical activity by over 80 minutes, showing improvements in strength and endurance. Social benefits were significant, with cancer survivors reporting enhanced overall social support and companionship.
“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,” said Nathan Parker, Ph.D., a researcher in the Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior at Moffitt and lead author of the study. “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.”
The encouraging news comes amid a continued pickleball boom in the U.S. and Canada, led by brands such as CityPickle, Ace Pickleball Club, PickleRage, Pickleheads, which recently secured $2.5 million to grow its platform, Pickleball Kingdom, The Picklr and luxury athletic country club operator Life Time.
