'UC+Activa': Table Tennis

Table tennis is one of the most widely practised sports worldwide. It originated in the 19th century and has been an Olympic sport since 1988. Matches can be played as singles (two players) or team games (four players), and the aim, as table tennis coach Diogo Machado explains, is: "to hit a ball over a net placed in the centre of the table using a racket".

Playing table tennis brings both physical and mental benefits. Through practice, players develop motor coordination, agility and flexibility. "Because it's such a fast and complex sport, it also improves focus and boosts our reasoning skills," he adds.

According to the coach, table tennis is one of the most accessible sports. "With just one or two lessons, a person can get the hang of it and become hooked on coming back for more," he says. The UC+Active project includes participants with and without previous sporting experience, including people who have never held a racket before.

UC+Ativa (UC+Active) activities take place every year, following the University’s academic calendar, and are guided by qualified professionals committed to encouraging the academic community to embrace an active, healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Participants should log in and register on the UC Sports platform and complete their enrolment via the “Activities” menu.