TABLE TENNIS AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

por | Abr 22, 2025 | SWAN en Inglés

European SWAN Project: Promoting Well-being through Table Tennis

SWAN – Spin for Well-being: promoting healthy lifestyles through table tennis for people with neurodegenerative diseases is a European project funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme, which aims to improve the health and well-being of people with neurodegenerative diseases (NDD), such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, through an innovative approach: therapeutic table tennis.

Its name, as well as being an acronym, refers to the swan, a symbol of transformation and renewal. Just as swans moult their feathers and grow new ones, this project aims to help people with NDD to generate new neural connections through the regular practice of an accessible, dynamic and motivating physical activity.

SWAN recognises the value of sport as a non-pharmacological tool to slow the progression of these diseases, improve cognitive and physical function, and strengthen social inclusion. Therefore, it seeks not only to implement direct interventions, but also to promote a change in the way we look at care and health, integrating these practices in environments such as residential homes, sports clubs or local communities.

Its strategic objectives include: creating a collaborative transnational network, developing and sharing educational materials, designing and evaluating specialised intervention programmes, and raising public and institutional awareness of the value of therapeutic sport.

The project envisages key activities such as the research of existing good practices, the development of an online training curriculum, and the implementation of pilot programmes in Greece, Bulgaria and Spain. In addition, dissemination actions such as information guides and participation in international events, including the World Table Tennis for Health Festivals in 2025 and 2026, will be organised.

The project’s target groups include not only people with neurodegenerative diseases, but also carers, coaches, support staff, families, sports organisations and the wider community, promoting an inclusive, community-based approach to care.

This initiative, part of the Erasmus+ Sport programme, will run for 26 months from 1 December 2024, and is based on a non-pharmacological approach that harnesses the benefits of physical exercise to stimulate new neural connections and promote holistic wellbeing.

A European project with social impact SWAN brings together 7 organisations from 7 European countries with expertise in sport, health, innovation and social care:

Alzheimer León actively participates in the design and evaluation of these interventions, as well as in the training of professionals and the dissemination of results, once again committing to innovation and social commitment.

Information on the project is available at: : www.swan-erasmus.eu