In early 2025, after handing over the business he had built for more than 10 years to a new owner, Hoang Thinh and his wife in TP HCM expected a weight to be lifted. Previously, work troubles had caused them constant stress, declining health, and no time for their two children. However, once their finances stabilized, he fell into a state of disillusionment.

"I have money but don't know what to do each day," Thinh stated. Without a packed work schedule, he began to suffer from insomnia and feel sluggish. Friends suggested he was experiencing a midlife crisis, a phase when people often reflect on their past and question the meaning of life.

Pickleball players at an arena in Long Bien, Hanoi, 11/2025. Photo: Happyland Long Bien

Prompted by a friend, Thinh tried pickleball. From a few introductory sessions, he became "addicted" without realizing it and brought his wife to the court as well. Now, the couple plays for at least two to three hours daily. Thanks to sports, he feels mentally lighter, sleeps soundly, and his spirits have lifted.

Despite body aches from increasing his training intensity in mid-september, he still attends a therapy center in Tan Hung ward for recovery before returning to the court. "I feel like I've found myself again," he shared.

Hoang Thinh exemplifies a phenomenon identified by psychologists: many middle-aged individuals suddenly turn to sports as a form of mental therapy. According to the MIDUS survey by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 10-20% of middle-aged people experience a crisis characterized by feelings of disorientation, anxiety, and depression.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Status Report on Physical Activity recorded a 15% increase in middle-aged sports participation between 2016 and 2022. The US Triathlon Association reports that nearly one-third of athletes competing in races are between 40 and 49 years old, making it the largest and most competitive age group.

In India, the number of people aged 35–50 who exercise has increased by 40% over the past five years. Marathon events in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru show that 60% of athletes belong to the 35–55 age group, indicating that middle-aged individuals are becoming a primary force in amateur sports.

In Vietnam, a Q&Me survey revealed that 56% of respondents choose football and running as a way to relieve work and family pressure, with urban middle-aged groups showing the highest participation rates. At a pickleball club in Cau Giay, Hanoi, the number of players in the 40-55 age group has grown by about 20% since the beginning of the year, making it the most populous group.

Marcel Lennartz, owner of a long-standing running club in TP HCM, also observes this trend. Over the past two years, members over 40 have increased the fastest, accounting for 20-30% of the total. "This is a significant shift. Previously, middle-aged people rarely participated in collective physical activities; now they are the core force," Marcel noted.

Dr. Calvin Q. Trinh, director of the HMR Rehabilitation and Physique Center in TP HCM, attributes this phenomenon to the "double pressure" of a midlife crisis. Professionally, they face pressure to assert their position; within the family, generational conflicts arise as children mature. Coupled with anxieties about aging and illness, they are compelled to seek balance. "Sports are the most positive choice. When exercising, the body releases endorphins and serotonin, which help alleviate anxiety and bring a sense of happiness," Dr. Calvin explained.

For many, a midlife crisis is no longer a period of disorientation but an opportunity for reflection and change. From a psychological perspective, exercise helps individuals regain a sense of control during a turbulent phase when careers may stagnate, children grow up, and physical appearance changes. If work or marriage are beyond one's control, health, muscle mass, and sports achievements are quantifiable and improvable.

"Instead of avoiding age, middle-aged groups choose to train and sweat as a way to regain control of life," Dr. Calvin Q. Trinh affirmed.

Runner participating in the VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue, 2023. Photo: Vo Thanh

Bich Hong, 40, from Binh Hung Hoa ward, TP HCM, keenly feels this. She has two sons, and her husband is an engineer; their life seemed peaceful. However, upon turning 40, Bich Hong truly felt the pressures of middle age. After two childbirths, her body began to deteriorate, with sagging abdominal skin and fat accumulation, making her feel self-conscious every time she looked in the mirror.

"Even breathing makes me feel fat," she described her insecurity when looking in the mirror. The pressure intensified when she compared herself to peers.

Joining a yoga class under her apartment building in mid-2023, Hong found empathy among women in similar situations. From initially trembling and sweating due to tension, she gradually discovered exhilaration. Hong started to become "addicted" to sports. She acquired full workout gear and did not miss a session, even though her available time was only one hour daily. She began running, added cycling to her schedule two months ago, and is now considering trying pickleball.

However, experts also caution against an "addiction" to excessive exercise as a means of escaping current pressures. Dr. Calvin Q. Trinh noted that many middle-aged patients require long-term treatment for tendon and joint injuries resulting from overdoing pickleball or running.

"Sports help reduce stress but do not automatically eliminate the root cause of a crisis. It is essential to adjust intensity appropriately so that sports become a companion, not a new burden," Dr. Calvin advised.

Ngoc Ngan