VR and Ping Pong Parkinson

Before his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Nenad Bach, the Croatian-born guitar player, performed internationally, sharing the stage with artists ranging from Pavarotti to Bono to Brian Eno. But after his diagnosis in 2010, he lost the ability to play syncopated strumming and gave up the guitar in 2015. 

Then came ping pong. A friend invited Bach for a game of table tennis, and after three months of regular play, his motor skills improved, and his ability to syncopate returned (the results can be seen here). As a believer in social change — he is a peace activist — Bach founded a nonprofit,  Ping Pong Parkinson, in 2017 to share the benefits of table tennis. PPP now has thousands of members,  over 130 chapters around the globe, and sponsors an annual tournament. A 2020 Japanese study validated Bach’s hypothesis, concluding that ping pong is a safe method for people with Parkinson’s to improve motor symptoms and enhance ADL (activities of daily living). (see Table Tennis for patients with Parkinson’s: A single-center, prospective pilot study). 

Going virtual. When Covid hit in 2019, Bach reverted to virtual reality play, using the ping pong simulation Eleven VR on the Oculus Meta Quest 2 system. Because Eleven VR allows players to compete with each other via the metaverse, Bach arranged for that year’s annual tournament to be held virtually. After Covid retreated, the tournament returned to live play, though Bach continues to use VR for practice, finding it “fascinating and therapeutic.” 

I asked Bach which of the two leading VR ping pong games (Eleven VR and Racket Fury) he preferred, and he said he favored Eleven because it was more realistic, had a better interface, and was more like the actual sport.  He said Racket Fury was well-designed but too “futuristic.” Others concur with his comparison. (You can watch Nenad play Eleven here.)

My experience with VR table tennis. The first thing you realize when introduced to VR ping pong is that you don’t have to chase balls; they reappear magically in your non-paddle hand. No stooping, bending over, or reaching under couches. Another positive was that both Eleven and Racket Fury come loaded with practice modules which you’ll need if you’re an awkward novice like myself. After a few weeks of practicing with Eleven, the “fun quotient” increased, my reaction time got better, and I stopped misjudging distance. I could see why the game helped. It engages you physically while requiring quick decisions, sharp reflexes, and tactical playing, all of which can create new neuron pathways. After a few months, I began playing Racket Fury regularly and enjoyed its practice modes and robotic opponents. (See video, below). 

That’s what friends are for … Both Eleven and Racket Fury allow you to play with friends around the globe, a feature that Bach encourages because”it’s human interaction. It’s always a deeper quality when you communicate with somebody.”

TIPS: Here are some suggestions for Eleven VR and Racket Fury

• Table height is important for maintaining balance.  You can adjust the table height. For example, in Eleven, find and click the gear-shaped icon (Settings) on the Home screen. Then click the table-shaped icon (table-top), click “Set floor by touch” and touch the floor. 
• Ping pong VR is not for seated play. The table is too wide, so you might tip over when reaching for shots on the side. If standing is an issue for you, bypass ping pong.
• Set the hand grip. Most novice players use the shake hand grip, but if you’re experienced, you can switch to the penhold grip using the Settings menu.
• Impulse purchasers, beware. When Nenad Bach plays Eleven, he uses a table tennis paddle grip handle like the one shown below. If you’re an equipment junkie or are just seeking the feel of a real paddle, there are plenty of accessories available. 

(You can learn about Nenad Bach in the documentary short “Nenad, Who Plays Ping Pong.”)

Interested in starting a PPP chapter? Contact here.