The potential benefits of therapeutic recreational tennis programs

Michael-Ray Pallares is a former professional tennis player and ITF-certified tennis coach. Ron Tankel is a certified therapeutic recreational specialist. Both are members of the USTA's National Adaptive Tennis Committee. For the past three years, they have facilitated a Tennis for Behavioral Health pilot program for at-risk-youth at Synergy Services in North Kansas City, Mo.

The Tennis for Behavioral Health pilot program in North Kansas City, Mo., was intended to help at-risk youth in the area by providing community and structure. The first year of the program was an eight-week program that met twice weekly. After discussions with staff, clients and participants, we consolidated the program so attendees would meet daily for two consecutive weeks, in the hopes that a more concentrated program would provide more impact. It was concluded that the two-week program was more effective as clients were able to see their progress daily.

Throughout the pilot program, pre- and post-program surveys were administered to clients to assess and evaluate their responses to the overall benefits of the program. The categories targeted were self-esteem, socialization, skill-development, physical activity, focus and concentration, team-building, time-management, and motivation. Additionally, community recreation resources were utilized to provide participants with the knowledge of what is available through the local parks and recreation department and an indoor tennis facility.

Ten questions were given in both the pre- and post-program surveys that were used to determine the validity of the program. There was demonstrated improvement in all categories, with an increase in motivation and self-esteem chief among the most improved in three years of cumulative responses. These two categories provide a foundation that may lead participants to seek leisure activities, such as tennis, independently in the future.