King of Ping Coaching

18/10/2025

Creating Contrast: The table’s clinical white playing surface, utilised with bright balls, enhances contrast to assist sight and perception. The extended borders emphasise perspective and aid visual field map organisation.
Longer Focused Activity: The attached side panels increase spatial awareness, create a secure, non-distracting and comforting play zone, enhance peripheral vision by keeping the balls on the table and in play for longer duration.
Social Flourishing: Table tennis trumps most other types of exercise intervention by being a social activity that promotes joy and laughter between individuals – be they young or old, healthy or infirm, sitting or standing.
Sustainable Therapy Just one BAT Therapy Table can provide a truly positive therapeutic impact; not just short term, to an individual – but long term, to an entire care community.

18/10/2025

INTRODUCING THE WORLD’S FIRST TABLE TENNIS THERAPY TABLE
The BAT design team, working with neuroscience specialists, have created the World’s first table specifically devised to enhance the Table Tennis Therapeutic Experience for those living with dementia, and their carers.

The BAT Therapy Table, designed by one of the Charity’s Founding Trustees, Creative Director, Ian Craigton-Chambers FRSA and his Sports Science Team, is an all-in-one, foldable lightweight table tennis table, with wheels for easy movement and storage. The white playing surface, together with the opaque innovative & interactive side panels, induce a clinical placebo effect, establishing a ‘comfort zone’ for the players, whilst significantly enhancing the effects of the holistic exercise intervention therapy.

18/10/2025

Studies carried out in 1996 and 1998 in Japan explored the potential of table tennis as an effective therapy in the reduction of cognitive decline and ability to delay onset symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Trials showed table tennis activated up to 5 portions of the brain in the Alzheimer’s subjects during play. In the light of the positive outcome, the study’s deliverers designated table tennis as the World’s Number One Brain Sport.

These papers indicate the vast potential of table tennis for those living with Alzheimer’s. However, given that they’re over 20 years old now, that we have a greater understanding of the development of Alzheimer’s, and the advances in medical technology and research techniques… BAT feel it was hugely important to conduct a completely new piece of medical research.

18/10/2025

The table is designed to enhance the table tennis play for those living with Alzheimer’s.

Firstly, the colour scheme of the table has been changed…although memory loss is the most well know symptom of Alzheimer’s, vision impairment is also common as the disease develops, meaning people start to lose the ability to focus on objects and even the ability to distinguish between similar colours in the same shade ranges. The MKII provides a clear contrast for the table surface against backdrops and the ball colour.

Secondly, the table has panels on either side of the table. The panels are the same colour as the table surface to again provide contrast. Additionally the panels enclose the play space, allowing a) for extended rally play by keeping the ball on the table longer and b) different game play as the ball bounces at various angles off the panels.

All of this enhances the therapeutic application of table tennis play for the user.

18/10/2025

Table tennis can be played by anyone regardless of age, gender, or ability…it can even be played sitting down. It’s a low impact activity that has benefits mentally, physically, and socially. If we look at the elements of table tennis we can see how it’s a beneficial activity:

Hand-Eye Coordination: Guiding the ball in play and readying for shots.
Fine Motor Skills: The subtle wrist movements and shifting bat angle .
Upper Body Strength: Reaching for shots and motion of play.
Balance: Small and larger foot movements as you play.
Cognitive Function: Anticipating shots and constantly adjusting during play.
Blood Flow to the Brain: Raising heart rate over a period of time.
Happiness: It’s a fun game to play that gets people smiling.
Many of these can be related to real life scenarios. For example if you think about the movement of stretching out an arm to reach a shot, is very similar to the motion of putting on clothing. The subtle wrist movements can strengthen this area allowing people to maintain a good grip.

18/10/2025

18/10/2025

Barni's heartbreaking story after early on-set Alzheimer's diagnosis. Plus Alzheimer's Society fundraiser by his amazing friends and partner Dee.

I first met Barni in 2021 while attending the Sporting Memories group at Stratford Sports Club — a wonderful initiative that supports people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. My initial visit was to learn more about how the group operated, its impact, and to explore ways of introducing table tennis as a beneficial and enjoyable activity for participants.

Not long after, I donated a table to the group and began visiting weekly to offer coaching and encouragement. Over the next two years, I witnessed remarkable enthusiasm and joy from everyone involved — and Barni, in particular, stood out. Despite never having played table tennis before, he embraced the game wholeheartedly. His determination, laughter, and that unforgettable smile made every session a highlight of the week.

At one point, Barni’s love for the game grew so much that we even helped him get a table for home use.

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