Table Tennis for Health Shines at the World Parkinson Congress 2026

The 7th World Parkinson Congress, hosted by the World Parkinson Coalition in Phoenix, USA, from 24–27 May 2026, concluded with great success, bringing together people living with Parkinson’s disease, caregivers, researchers, health professionals, and advocates from around the world.

Following the ITTF Foundation’s participation in the 6th World Parkinson Congress in Barcelona, Spain, three years ago, we were proud to continue our organisational partnership with the World Parkinson Coalition and once again demonstrate how table tennis can be a powerful tool for health, well-being, and social connection.

A Hub of Activity and Learning

Represented by our TT4Health team members Ramon and Lea, the ITTF Foundation joined forces with PingPongParkinson® to host a dedicated Table Tennis Room throughout the Congress. The space offered attendees the opportunity to experience the joy of table tennis firsthand while learning about its benefits for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Over the four days, visitors arrived with enthusiasm to play, move, learn, and exchange experiences. The Table Tennis Room became a vibrant meeting point where people with and without Parkinson’s came together through sport and shared a common interest in improving quality of life.

Opening the Congress with a Table Tennis Tournament

Before the official start of the Congress programme, the ITTF Foundation organised a table tennis tournament as a pre-course activity. With 32 available places, the competition welcomed both participants with and without Parkinson’s disease, creating an inclusive and enjoyable environment for all.

The event began with a group stage before progressing to a knockout main draw. Throughout the tournament, players demonstrated remarkable determination, sportsmanship, and passion for the sport.

Congratulations to all participants, and especially to the medal winners:

  • 1st Place: Anat ROBINSON (Israel)
  • 2nd Place: Margie ALLEY (USA)
  • 3rd Place: Jim YOUNG (USA)

Full tournament results, including the group stage standings and final draw, can be found here.

Four Days of Learning, Movement and Connection

Throughout the Congress, the Table Tennis Room hosted a diverse programme of activities designed to demonstrate how table tennis can support both motor and cognitive functions for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

  • Motor Skills Sessions

Participants engaged in targeted exercises designed to improve balance, mobility, coordination, and hand-eye coordination, including adapted table tennis activities and practical ways to challenge and maintain essential motor functions.

  • Cognitive Skills Sessions

The sessions focused on exercises that stimulate concentration, memory, decision-making, and attention. Participants discovered how table tennis can offer cognitive challenges while remaining enjoyable and accessible.

  • Health Professionals Workshop

A dedicated session was organised for healthcare professionals interested in implementing TT4Health activities within their own communities and organisations. The workshop introduced the TT4Health methodology, demonstrated practical exercises, and explored approaches for adapting activities and assessing participant progress.

  • One-Hour Daily Tournaments

Short, open tournaments without pre-registration provided opportunities for attendees to meet new people and enjoy friendly competition.

  • Open Play Sessions

Between lectures and poster presentations, attendees were invited to enjoy open play sessions. These informal opportunities allowed participants to enjoy table tennis in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

The shared Table Tennis Room provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with PingPongParkinson® and advance our relationship. Beyond jointly promoting the benefits of table tennis for Parkinson’s disease, both organisations exchanged ideas, experiences, and resources that will help expand access to table tennis programmes for people living with Parkinson’s around the world.

We would also like to express our gratitude to USA Table Tennis for supporting the Table Tennis Room by providing five tables and the necessary surrounds. Thanks to this contribution, Congress participants were able to train, learn, and enjoy table tennis using high-quality equipment, further enhancing their experience and demonstrating the sport’s potential as a therapeutic tool.

Sharing Research, Knowledge and Good Practices

In addition to the practical activities, the ITTF Foundation contributed to the scientific and educational programme of the Congress through two poster presentations and by promoting its ongoing project.

  • Measuring the Impact of Table Tennis Training

The first poster presented the results of a study conducted during our TT4Health training camp, designed for players with Parkinson’s, held in Bornholm, Denmark, in 2025.

Four participants voluntarily wore Stat-On Holter devices before and after the camp to measure changes in motor capacity. Developed by our partner Sense4Care, these devices continuously recorded movement data throughout the week, allowing our team to evaluate the impact of table tennis training on Parkinson’s symptoms.

View the poster here.

  • The TT4Health Exercise Methodology

The second poster showcased the TT4Health training methodology and the different exercises implemented during the Bornholm training camp.

The exercises are organised into two main categories:

    • Motor skills exercises focused on balance and hand-eye coordination
    • Cognitive skills exercises focused on concentration and memory

The poster provides practical examples that can be replicated by coaches, healthcare professionals, and organisations interested in delivering table tennis activities for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

View the poster here.

  • Promoting the SWAN Project

The Congress also provided an opportunity for us to raise awareness about the Erasmus+ SWAN project, coordinated by the ITTF Foundation together with six partner organisations across Europe. Attendees learned about the project's mission to strengthen the use of table tennis as a health intervention for people living with neurodegenerative diseases and were introduced to upcoming free capacity-building opportunities.

Everyone interested in the capacity-building programme or in learning more about how table tennis can be used as a practical therapeutic tool is invited to contact us at: info@foundation.ittf.com.

Legacies from the 2025 WTT4H Festival

As a legacy of the 2025 World Table Tennis for Health Festival, we were delighted to be joined on this journey by Monica J. Erlandsson from the Swedish Table Tennis Association, who won the raffle entry awarded during last year's Festival.

Among the Swedish delegation attending the Congress, we were also pleased to reconnect with Annicka Appleberg, one of the presenters at the 2025 World Table Tennis for Health Congress. This time, she contributed to the World Parkinson Congress with an insightful lecture in the relevant field.

A Fruitful Journey of Inspiration and Opportunities

The World Parkinson Congress once again demonstrated the power of bringing together science, lived experience, and practical solutions to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease. For us, the journey was full of engagement, meaningful connections, and inspiration.

We extend our deepest appreciation to the World Parkinson Coalition for hosting this remarkable event, USA Table Tennis for its equipment support, PingPongParkinson® for the collaboration, and everyone whom we met and connected with for joining us on this inspiring journey.

Moving forward, we will continue to amplify the message that table tennis is a powerful tool for improving physical, mental, and social well-being for people living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as communities around the world.

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