Stay ActiveA-Z of activities - T
Tai Chi
Tai chi is a form of gentle exercise involving slow, graceful movements, which has become associated with stress relief and health improvement. As a martial art tai chi involves considerable focus on spiritual aspects and on increasing self-concept and concentration.
- Tai Chi Finder
- www.taichifinder.co.uk
- Tai Chi Union for Great Britain
- www.taichiunion.com
Table Tennis
Table tennis is a keenly competitive game, is easy to learn, requires little space and is inexpensive. It can also help improve concentration, reaction speed and co-ordination. At club level, many wheelchair players can compete against an able-bodied opponent. Competitions are grouped into male and female, singles and doubles with categories based on the level of the players’ ability. To compensate for being seated, some wheelchair players use a higher than normal chair to play. Those with limited grip can use strapping to increase grip of the bat.
- English Table Tennis Association
- www.englishtabletennis.org.uk
- British Wheelchair Table Tennis Association
- www.wheelpower.org.uk/sports/dyncat.cfm?catid=16977
- British Table Tennis Association for the Disabled (BTTAD)
- Secretary – Mike Smith
207 Glenfield Road
Leicester
LE3 6DL
E-mail: mike.gr.smith@tesco.net
Tennis
The game of tennis as we know it today has been in existence since the 1870’s, although the earliest form of the game is thought to have been invented in the 11th or 12th century by French monks. Today over 3 million people play tennis in the UK. Singles, doubles and mixed doubles versions of the games are played. The yearly tournament at Wimbledon is one of the best-known championships in the game.
Originally developed in America in the seventies, wheelchair tennis was first played in Britain in 1983. It has grown to the extent that there is now an international wheelchair tennis tour with more than 100 tournaments around the world. The game is played on a normal sized tennis court to the normal rules of tennis. The one exception is that two bounces are allowed, with the first bounce having to be within the usual parameters of the court. Although originally an indoor game, wheelchair tennis can be played on grass courts. Many clubs now have provision for wheelchair players.
- Lawn Tennis Association
- www.lta.org.uk
- National Wheelchair Tennis Association
- www.tennisfoundation.org.uk/disabilitytennis/wheelchairtennis/
Ten Pin Bowling
Ten pin bowling is a sociable pastime that can be fun whatever your age or ability. Centres can be found countrywide, check your phone book for local facilities. For the more experienced/competitive player, most centres run leagues, clubs and tournaments. If you are a wheelchair user, ramps are available for your bowling ball.
- British Ten Pin Bowling Association
- www.btba.org.uk
If you've got a new sport you would like to include, groups you have joined or tips you'd like to pass on email the MS Trust's Information Team or ring us on 01462 476700.
