Scientific Evidence
Why Latido y Raqueta Works: Science Backs It Up
At Latido y Raqueta we do not make empty promises. Every element of our program is supported by verified scientific evidence, published in high-impact medical journals and validated by international scientific societies.
Exercise as Medicine
Why Exercise Is Essential in Cardiopulmonary Pathologies
For decades, the medical dogma recommended rest for people with cardiopulmonary diseases. “Don’t tire yourself out,” “avoid exertion,” “stay on bed rest” were the standard instructions.
Today we know that was wrong.
“Supervised physical exercise is safe and effective for improving functional capacity, quality of life, and reducing hospitalizations in people with cardiopulmonary pathologies.”
The problem is not exercise. The problem is the lack of exercise.
Evidence in Pulmonary Hypertension
The Study That Changed Everything: Mereles et al. (2006)
Published in Circulation – One of the Most Prestigious Medical Journals in the World
Full reference:
Mereles D, Ehlken N, Kreuscher S, et al. “Exercise and respiratory training improve exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with severe chronic pulmonary hypertension.” Circulation. 2006;114(14):1482-1489.
What Did They Do?
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital (Germany) recruited people with pulmonary hypertension and divided them into two groups:
- Intervention Group: 15 weeks of supervised training (combination of aerobic exercise, muscle training, and breathing techniques)
- Control Group: Continued with their usual treatment without exercise
Striking Results
Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) (primary measure of functional capacity):
- Exercise group: +96 meters improvement
- Control group: -15 meters (worsened)
To put this in perspective:
- Many pharmacological treatments for pulmonary hypertension achieve improvements of 30-40 meters
- A 96-meter improvement is clinically very significant and translates into better capacity for daily activities
Was It Safe?
YES. No serious adverse events were recorded. Supervised exercise was safe even in people with severe pulmonary hypertension.
Evidence in COPD
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: An Essential Component of Treatment
All clinical practice guidelines for COPD (GOLD, SEPAR, ATS/ERS) establish that pulmonary rehabilitation is an essential component of treatment, with the highest level of evidence and recommendation.
Documented Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD
- ✓ Reduction of dyspnea (breathing difficulty)
- ✓ Reduction of fatigue
- ✓ Improvement in exercise capacity (six-minute walk test +40-60 meters)
- ✓ Reduction in hospitalizations (20-30% fewer admissions)
- ✓ Improvement in quality of life (validated questionnaires)
- ✓ Reduction of anxiety and depression
- ✓ Greater autonomy for daily activities
The Problem: Discontinuity
Traditional pulmonary rehabilitation lasts 8-12 weeks. The benefits are progressively lost without continuity.
Follow-up studies show that:
- At 6 months post-rehabilitation: Benefits begin to diminish
- At 12 months: Many patients return to pre-rehabilitation levels
The solution: Long-term maintenance programs, such as Latido y Raqueta.
Evidence in Heart Failure
Exercise Reduces Hospitalizations and Improves Survival
Multiple meta-analyses (studies that pool results from many clinical trials) have demonstrated that supervised exercise in people with heart failure:
- ✓ Improves functional capacity (+20-30% on exercise testing)
- ✓ Reduces hospitalizations by 20-30%
- ✓ Significantly improves quality of life
- ✓ Is safe when performed under supervision
- ✓ Possible reduction in mortality in the long term
Key reference:
Taylor RS, Sagar VA, Davies EJ, et al. “Exercise-based rehabilitation for heart failure.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(4):CD003331.
Table Tennis as a Therapeutic Intervention
Why Table Tennis Specifically
Table tennis combines three types of benefits in a single activity:
1. Physical Benefits
- Controllable aerobic capacity improvement
- Muscle strengthening
- Improved balance and coordination
- Low joint impact
2. Cognitive Benefits
- Hand-eye coordination
- Improved reflexes
- Sustained attention
- Rapid decision-making
3. Social Benefits
- Reduction of isolation
- Improved self-esteem
- Social bonds
- Fun
The Validated Parkinson Model
If It Works for Parkinson’s, It Will Work for Cardiopulmonary Pathologies
The RFETM (Royal Spanish Table Tennis Federation) has developed a successful table tennis program for people with Parkinson’s disease:
National Championships:
- 2024: First championship → 35 participants
- 2025: Second championship → 80 participants
- Growth: 128% in one year
Hospital La Princesa – Pimpón Park Project
Documented results:
- ✓ Significant improvements in balance
- ✓ Improvement in cognitive capacity and concentration
- ✓ Notable improvement in mood
- ✓ High program adherence
“Table tennis could make a difference. It should be integrated alongside aerobic and strength training.”
– Dr. Álvaro Sánchez Ferro, Spanish Society of Neurology
Exercise Safety
Is It Safe? The Evidence Says Yes
Myth: “Exercise Is Dangerous for the Heart and Lungs”
Reality: Supervised and appropriately dosed exercise is safe for people with stable cardiopulmonary pathologies.
Safety Evidence
- Cochrane Review on Cardiac Rehabilitation: Analysis of more than 14,000 patients with heart disease. NO increase in mortality was found from participating in supervised exercise programs.
- Grünig et al. Study (2012) – Pulmonary Hypertension: 183 people with pulmonary hypertension in an exercise program. Zero exercise-related deaths. Zero serious adverse events.
The Science Is Clear. Now It Is Time to Act.
Latido y Raqueta is not a gamble, it is a direct application of consolidated scientific knowledge.