Skip to content
2 min read

Apple Research Highlights Growth & Positive Effects of Pickleball

News Stacie Townsend 10-30-2023

Researchers from the Apple Heart and Movement Study announced that, based on data collected from Apple Watch, “the number of participants playing pickleball in a single month surpassed the number of participants playing tennis for the first time” in July 2023.

In connection with this finding, Apple Heart and Movement Study conducted a large-scale observational analysis to compare the two popular racquet sports—pickleball and tennis. Here are the takeaways from the study, which analyzed over 250,000 pickleball and tennis workouts recorded on Apple Watch: 

  • “[P]ickleball workouts were slightly longer than tennis workouts on average — 90 minutes versus 81 minutes, respectively — and saw greater variability in time played.”  
    • “The average peak heart rate was nine beats per minute faster during tennis workouts, which averaged 152 beats per minute, compared to 143 beats per minute in pickleball.”
    • Tennis workouts generally had more time spent in higher-intensity heart rate zones, as “tennis workouts had nine percentage points more time in higher-intensity heart rate zones compared to pickleball workouts.”
    • “On average, players who logged at least 10 pickleball workouts were older than their counterparts in tennis — 51 versus 45, respectively — and had higher female participation rates.” However, both sports were popular across ages and gender.
    • Utah was the most popular state per capita for pickleball. “[J]ust over one in every 16 study participants giving the sport a try at least once.”
    • “Tennis workout trends saw seasonal variation, while pickleball workouts saw relatively steady growth.”
    • Pickleball and tennis have positive effects on mental wellbeing. This was shown as certain indicators of a “depressed mood were 60.1 percent lower among frequent pickleball players and 51.3 percent lower among tennis players than the general participant pool.”

    The data and the science is starting to prove what we all already know—pickleball has incredible physical and mental health benefits.

    Apple Study Highlights Pickleball Trends and Benefits
    Apple, Inc.

    READ SIMILAR STORIES

    View All

    03-20-25

    Stacie Townsend

    The 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships is Set for a Record-Breaking Year

    The US Open has captured the hearts of players and fans alike and established itself as the most prestigious event in pickleball....

    5 min read

    03-24-20

    Stacie Townsend

    Pickleball Rules to Know - The Basic Rules of the Serve

    There are many nuances to the serve in the sport of Pickleball. These nuances include technique, strategy, and the rules...

    01-31-24

    Stacie Townsend

    The Pickler - Same Great Content, New Look and Feel

    Now introducing the new and improved ThePickler.com! With a new look and feel, you can now find the pickleball tips, rules,...

    2 min read