ALPHA TTK has been awarded the project “Table Tennis for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease” under the SIS 2024 scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector.
Workshop: TT for PD on the 24th and 25th Feb 2024
Coach Grega Komac from Slovenia is leading a workshop to launch the project. Komac is head coach of the Slovenian women’s national team and also head coach of the parkinson’s group in Slovenia.
Coach Grega will be in at ALPHA TTK Malta on the 24th and 25th Feb 2024 for a workshop. During this workshop, he will share his knowledge about Table Tennis adapted to persons with PD, the benefits, the methodologies and the opportunities the sport offers for fighting this condition. He will soon also be publishing a book with his studies and findings on the subject.
Workshop: Invitation to participate
All persons with PD are invited to attend for the initial introductory sessions on the 24th & 25th Feb. Following this workshop, the project will continue for a year until Jan 2025. Monthly open days will be organised for persons with PD to come and try out the sport at our club.
Contact us for full info and to reserve your place.
Project Background: TT for PD
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological condition that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements. These include as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Numerous studies show that movement, especially exercises that encourage balance and reciprocal patterns (i.e. movements that require coordination of two parts of the body), can actually slow the progression of the disease. Table Tennis, apart from being a cardio activity, requires hand-to-eye coordination, movement of the lower and upper body in unison, and increases strength and balance functions. Recent studies show that table tennis, practiced regularly, gives drastic improvements in speech, handwriting, getting dressed, getting out of bed and walking, for people suffering from PD.
e.g. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34316664/
The aims of this project are twofold:
(1) encouraging people with PD to take up table tennis as part of their routine, and
(2) equipping the coaching staff at ALPHA TTK with the necessary knowledge to provide this service for people with PD.
Apart from the positive physiological benefits stated above, as well as the positive impact on a persons’ overall health and well-being, engaging in an active sport also has considerable social benefits.
The below are some photos of persons with PD who are practicing Table Tennis at ALPHA TTK.
