Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) was founded in 2023 and is one of the most exciting sports leagues to enter the US. MLTT features 8 teams in cities across the country competing in an innovative team based format including singles, doubles, and our unique Golden Game.
MLTT is committed to advancing the sport of table tennis by providing the ultimate table tennis experience for all involved. MLTT is dedicated to growing our league and supporting our athletes as they compete at the highest levels of the sport. With a focus on growing the league and supporting athletes at the highest levels, MLTT is committed to delivering thrilling matches and fostering a vibrant table tennis community. (MLTT)
What is so exciting is that our Head Coach Luba Sadovska is MLTT coach for SEATTLE SPINNERS and you can read more about Luba’s journey with MLTT: https://mltt.com/league/teams/seattle-spinners/
Scientific evidence and medical experts around the world acknowledge that even recreational Table Tennis increases concentration and alertness, stimulates brain function, helps with the development of tactical thinking skills, hand/eye coordination, provides aerobic exercise and social and recreational interaction. In summary, Table Tennis can induce neuroplastic alterations in multiple brain networks including motor-related areas, visual cortex (in particular, visual motion area), and frontal regions, ultimately leading to improved sensorimotor and executive functions. This fast-paced game is challenging and equally rewarding. Clinical Neuroscientist and Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen calls table tennis “The Best Brain Sport” and he explains how the body’s main organ can benefit from a friendly game of table tennis. Regular exercise boosts hormones in the body that keep your brain young. Physical activities increase circulation to the brain and promotes cell health. So, what set’s Table Tennis apart from other sports in terms of mental health? Table Tennis is a game of strategy, focus, coordination, reflexes and concentration. Table tennis requires a developed sense of strategy and the game starts well before the serve. You study your opponent and learn their tendencies so that your next move becomes a calculated reaction. Noting potential weaknesses, you plan your game accordingly.
Wendy Suzuki, a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at New York University, explains that Table Tennis stimulates parts of the brain that control fine motor skills. The list below explains which specific activities influence each part of the brain.
Hippocampus – This part of the brain allows you to formulate and retain long-term information. When heart rate increases, so does stimulation of the hippocampus.
Prefrontal Cortex – Stimulated through strategic game plans and matches require focus.
Primary Motor Cortex & Cerebellum – Control hand-eye coordination.
Basal Ganglia – Ability to maintain composure.
Temporal Lobes – Associated with focus and concentration.
Family-practice physician Danine Fruge, MD, medical director at Pritikin Longetivity Center says racket sports (like tennis, badminton, pickleball, squash) have been proven to be one of the top categories of sport for increasing lifespan. But playing Table Tennis, involves many of the same motions and thought processes as other racket sports and then some, given it can be fast-paced at certain level, requires no training or particular level of fitness to start playing. And you can even play it on practically any table with an extendable net. The barrier to entry drops even further when you consider that Table Tennis is generally thought of as a leisure activity or game, and not as exercise.
It’s really a surprise to people when we share with them that Table Tennis can support their longevity, because they think, how could something so fun be so healthy? Interestingly, that enjoyment is actually part of Table Tennis’ activity’s benefits. Table Tennis is also a brain- and body-supportive game. It involves doing multiple actions at the same time, quickly and in succession. For example, moving your leg is activating one part of the brain, using your wrist is another; judging the distance of the ball coming toward you is yet another. And doing all of that practices integrating several different brain circuits at once, which we know is tied to longevity.
Here are 3 ways that playing table tennis can boost your longevity, according to science:
1. It works out out your brain
Scientists have known since the early 90s that table tennis is linked with greater mental ability , at any age, and playing Table Tennis regularly may be able to help preserve your mental capacities. In comparing table tennis to other forms of exercise like dancing, walking, and resistance training, a study in 2014 found that it had a stronger effect on cognitive function. That mental benefit is likely due to the sport’s use of multiple brain regions at once, as described above.
Prefrontal cortex—the strategy and thinking part of the brain—which is involved in memory retention and recall, in a game of table tennis, you’re tapping this area of the brain every time you plan your next strike or anticipate your opponent’s move, even if your execution isn’t as great as you planned. Where the ball goes doesn’t matter as much as the fact that you had the thought about where you wanted it to go,” says Dr. Fruge. “That’s key to how the brain works. By activating the prefrontal cortex with table tennis, you may actually boost memory retention and cognition.
The more you focus on fielding your partner’s hits throughout the game, the more you’re “flexing” that prefrontal cortex, which can strengthen with time kind of like a muscle.
There is evidence of something called neuroplasticity, where the brain actually gets used to and gets good at whatever you repeatedly do. By activating the prefrontal cortex with table tennis, then, you may actually boost memory retention and cognition. That’s why there are now table tennis programs made specifically for people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia…
That’s still not all the brain activity involved in a Table Tennis game. While playing, your brain is also firing up large and fine motor skills (aka moving your extremities and hand), as well as your visual and hearing systems. Hearing the ball contact on the racket and table activates the part of your brain that processes sound, while watching the ball fly toward and away from you is challenging your depth perception. Utilizing all these sensory inputs at once in order to hit the ball (aka hand-eye coordination) requires these various brain processes to happen in sync.
At the same time, your brain may also be engaging in non-direct communication. You don’t actually have to be looking at someone or concentrating on what they’re saying during a match, but you’re likely hearing them say, ‘Good shot,’ or ‘You missed’ which is allowing for socialization and connection. The more you’re laughing and enjoying the back-and-forth, the more you’re supporting your brain health and longevity, too.
2. It improves your agility
Scientists say Table Tennis makes major use of fast twitch muscle fibers — fibers in your muscle that provide lots of force for short bursts — in a way that walking or lifting weights does not. Why? During game play, you only have a few seconds to react and move your body in the direction of an in-coming ball. Every time you’re lunging to one side or throwing an arm to hit a high ball, you’re putting these quick-responding fibers to work.
Once you’ve practiced those movements enough times and strengthened those fast-twitch fibers along the way, there’s a higher likelihood that you’ll avoid bad slips and falls, further safeguarding your longevity. Anytime you’re on an uneven surface, if you have strong fast-twitch muscles, you’ll automatically navigate pushes and shoves more effectively. The same goes for stepping over a curb or over a threshold, or catching yourself if you misstep. The more responsive your fast-twitch muscles, the less likely you are to fall.”
3. You’ll get your heart rate going
Sure, it’s not exactly a five-mile run, but that doesn’t mean Table Tennis can’t be an aerobic activity. In fact, research conducted by the Mayo Clinic in 2012 found that Table Tennis can support brain health not just because it involves all that juicy brain coordination noted above, but also because it gets your blood pumping. And any time you’re elevating your heart rate with physical movement, you’re also boosting your longevity.
Table Tennis has proven benefits to mental health and has been used to rehabilitate individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, after stroke patients and it proved to be an excellent sport for ADD (attention deficit disorder) & ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). This racket-sport intervention improves behavioral and cognitive performance in these disorders. Why?
Looking at the kids that play in our table tennis club www.nsttc.ca , I came to conclusion that regular practise, and competition improves not only their smashes but their attention, concentration, and ability to focus better and for longer. They focus on the ball in a way, that some of them never have during the day. As well, i have noticed that they are concerned in the positive way in this sport because of their perseverance and compromise. So are their teachers and educators saying at schools. This demanding sport increases blood flow to the brain along with oxygen, nutrients, vitamins, and other essential chemicals that keep the brain healthy. High levels of concentration and attention to detail create a challenging mental exercise for those suffering from these conditions.
As a Table Tennis sport club, table tennis is much easier to reach compared to other sports. It is built on skills that require long-term attention and focus, and these skills develop as people continue to play. 6-week regular table tennis training has been found to have a positive effect on primary school children’s attention levels.
Table Tennis allows people to exercise the body while simultaneously enhancing thought processes and mental function. In fact, a study was conducted in Japan to explore the effects of Table Tennis on brain activity. Results showed that just 15 minutes of table tennis play had demonstrated benefits on the brain. Table tennis has also been shown to enhance reflexes and develop fast twitch muscles in the body that are controlled by the Parietal lobes of the brain. Many Table Tennis players learn to train with their primary hand and their weak hand to help develop the brains’ ability to control muscle function. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa. When you train both hands, you develop the other side of the brain.
Hand eye-coordination, aerobic exercise, and the mental capacity required to play Table Tennis – all have play a role in improving cognitive function of the brain. As the ball speeds across the table, players must focus on the tiniest details in order to come out victorious. You can miss a return shot in the blink of an eye. Being able to control your nerves with the adrenaline pumping through your veins is key to surviving an intense match. This ability to maintain composure is directly related to the basal ganglia. Furthermore, the brains temporal lobes help you keep your head in the game when stakes are high.
Entry Formand Rules below – Please read carefully and thoroughly!
Team entry fee – $120.00 plus GST – Please pay to North Shore Table Tennis Club
Entry Deadline: by Thursday January 23, 2020 –
Registration forms without payment will not be accepted
We hereby agree to abide by all league rules and all decisions of the league committee. We accept full responsibility for our participation in the league and relieve the NSTTC / NSTTCS and the League Committee from any liability for injury to ourselves, or damage to our property.
Operating
Rules of the Thursday night Table Tennis League
Start Date: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – End Date: TBA
League
co-chairs:, Luba Sadovska, David Clark Wilson
Committee
members: Claudine Gunn, Paul Edwards, Mike Dumler
League Venue location: North
Shore Table Tennis Club at 1555 Forbes Ave, North Vancouver, BC
Match Time: Warm up starts 6:30pm and all matches will start sharp at 7:00 pm and play goes till 9:00pm
Schedule: Will be prepared and posted/distributed prior
to the start of the league.
Important: Postponement of matches will only be allowed due to severe weather, sickness, or other exceptional circumstance approved by the league committee.
Current Drop-in Fees current
MEMBER/NON MEMBER drop in fees apply on match days
Tables
and nets approved by league committee. Balls: White 3* ITTF approved balls.
League
Format and Rules:
All
teams can register unlimited amount of squad members, not registered with any
other team.
No player addition to the team squad shall be allowed after the halfway point of the season (no exception). Any additional players must also be NSTTCS members in good standing or they will not be allowed to play.
Team
Matches will consist of 4 singles and 1 doubles matches for a total of 5
Matches.
Before
each team match, the captain of each team shall select 2 or 3 players and
designate them as players A, B, C or X, Y, Z. Teams will play best 3 out of 5
games to 11 rally points (win by two points).
The
team that wins 3 of the 5 matches shall win the team match, however all game
matches should be played as STANDING in the TOP 15 SINGLES will be based on
points for each game match won. Every match win counts as 1 point towards the
team’s total league points. A team can win up to a maximum of 5 points per
match.
Rules
are based on International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rules.
Non-white
clothing to be worn during matches.
Appropriate
footwear-court shoes with non-marking soles
Players
may be required to umpire their own matches
Divisional
Format:
There should be a maximum of 12 teams per Division
Penalties:3rd time no show means expulsion from the league.
1. All matches must be played on time and in correct
order (unless by agreement from the opposition). There will be a maximum five minute time limit allowed in
between each match. If a player is not ready (or present) to play, then that
game will be forfeit after the time limit has passed and the next match on the
score sheet order shall be played.
The non-offending team may allow the matches to be
played out of order or wait a little longer between matches at their discretion
if opposition players are late etc. They do not have to do this however if they
do not wish to and can claim points due to lateness.
If a team does not arrive with at least two players
ready to play before 7:30pm this will be
considered a no-show and the match may be claimed as a default win at this
point by the ready to play team. A late 3rd player should also be
there before 7:30pm otherwise defaults may once again be claimed for his/her
matches if so wished by the non-offending team.
2. Each team will need a minimum of two players in
order to complete the match; otherwise this team will be defaulted for that evening.
3. In the event of any no show a default score of 5-0 will be awarded in favour of the
ready to play team.
4. In the event of a team expulsion from the league, all matches involving that team will be
considered void as far as that league season is concerned.
NEW this season ! North Shore Table Tennis League begins on Thursday, September 27, 2018
Start Date: Thursday September 27, 2018NSTTCS will be running one division format and all matches will be played Thursday nights for 12 weeks (last matches night Thursday December 13, 2018 ). The league will also include an end of season DOUBLES tournament and the Top 15 SINGLES tournament on Thursday December 20, 2018 with announcing and awards for the LEAGUE WINNERS and TOURNAMENT WINNERS .
End Date: Thursday December 27, 2018
Warm up time: 6:30 pm
Start Time: 7:00pm sharp
Venue: North Shore Table Tennis Club at 1555 Forbes ave, North Vancouver
Current Drop in fees APPLY during the duration of the League
System: 2 or 3 players TEAM playing in the following order: A-X, B-Y, C-Z, A-Y, Doubles B & C vs X & Z or A,B,A,B vs X,Y,Y,Z and Doubles
All 5 matches must be played regardless of result. Every match win counts as 1 point towards the teams total league points. A team can win up to a maximum of 5 points per TEAM match.
All teams can register up to 8 squad members, not registered with any other team. Up to 1 or 2 rounds should be played depending on entries each Thursday night. The league will last 12 weeks and will end with ANNUAL DOUBLES and TOP 15 SINGLES Tournament on Thursday December 20, 2018
Eligibility:Open to all
Trophies and prizes: Trophies for the first 3 TEAMS and PERPETUAL TROPHY THAT WILL HAVE PLAQUES SHOWING EACH SEASON’S WINNERS
If you are looking for something healthy and FUN for your kids to do this summer , TRY TABLE TENNIS ! Our summer camps are available to register online ..
Before School Table Tennis Program will run 2 mornings at Ridgeview for the last term this year and will finish with 1st ANNUAL WEST VANCOUVER Elementary SCHOOLS TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 2017
MONDAYS 7:45AM to 8:45AM
WEDNESDAYS 7:45AM to 8:45AM
Where: RIDGEVIEW Elementary Gym, 1250 Mathers Ave in West Vancouver
Who: All West Vancouver Schools Grade 2 – 7 students
1 hour Sessions: 7:45AM to 8:45AM following
5 MONDAY mornings April 10, 24 (no class April 17 for Easter Monday) and May 1, 8 , 15 2017 and
7 WEDNESDAY mornings April 12, 19, 26 and May 3, 10, 17, 24 2017
with finishing the season on MAY 24 in the PM with1st ANNUAL WEST VANCOUVER Elementary SCHOOLS TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 Hosted by Ridgeview elementary school and North Shore Table Tennis Club Society
Starting Time May 24 from 3:30-6:30pm , more information to follow closer to the date REGISTER for your spot NOW
Head Coach: Luba Sadovska, assistant coaches Claudine Gunn, Mike Dumler, Ghazaleh Azizi
Equipment: All equipment will be provided for the sessions
Clothing: Students are to wear PE clothing (shorts; t-shirts) and running shoes with good Support – non-slip and non-marking if possible
Cost: $11.00 per class plus $15.00 Tournament fee and $10.00 Administration NSTTC Society fee to support and improve quality of services provided for Table Tennis sport, maintenance and purchases of equipment to supply the programs for the year .
Payment:
Credit Card: email CC # to info@nsttc.ca or call Coach Luba 604-209-7037
Cheques: make payable to North Shore Table Tennis Club Society
Please submit cheques to Ridgeview school’s office no later than Friday April 7, 2017
We are encouraging students to take part in all 6 sessions. However, if students are not able to attend all sessions in the series, parents are to communicate directly with Luba indicating the dates the student would be attending. This will ensure that Luba can prepare accordingly.
*Once payment is received, there are no refunds. Thank you for your understanding.
Parental Permission and Emergency contact information Form is mandatory to submit with the payment. Please email info@nsttc.ca and request the forms to be forwarded prior the start of the classes
2017 NORTH SHORE TABLE TENNIS OPEN Day 2 SUNDAY April 9
Doors Open 8:30 AM
9AMYOUTH U-12 Beginners to intermediate level – Born in 2005 or later
10 AM SENIORS 55+ Born in 1962 or later
11AMYOUTH U-18 Beginners to intermediate level – Born in 1999 or later
11AM U-2000 DOUBLES Combined Rating of 2000
1:00 PM Awards Ceremony Scheduled time is approximate.
Date: April 09, 2017 (Sunday)
Venue: Sentinel Secondary School Gym – West Vancouver
LOCATION: 1250 Chartwell Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7S 2R2
Registration deadline and related information:
Deadline: 5 p.m. Tuesday April 04, 2017 (Late entries may not be accepted) Draw Date: Wednesday April 05, 2017
Entry forms will not be processed unless accompanied by correct fees.
Make cheque payable to: North Shore Table Tennis Club Society
Entry Form can be mailed to North Shore Table Tennis Club @
#120 718-333 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3V8, or emailed to: North Shore Table Tennis Club info@nsttc.ca or dropped off at the NSTTC located at 1110 Gladwin Drive, North Vancouver during scheduled hours – see www.nsttc.ca
Referee: TBA – Tournament Committee: Sasan Shariati, Mike Dumler, Paul Edwards, Luba Sadovska , Claudine Gunn
For further information, please call (604) 209-7037or email the NSTTCinfo@nsttc.ca
