By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being

During this season of gratitude, we are thankful for how Senior Games athletes demonstrate the power of sports—the power to unite, inspire and spark social change.

Senior Games athletes inspire as they train and compete. They contribute to research on healthy aging so others can follow their example. They support their competitors. They showcase a new perspective on aging.

Simply put, they make a mark on communities everywhere.

Fostering Belonging and New Event Milestones

The National Senior Games celebrate the ability of older adults to thrive through sports. The Games welcome all to work for their personal best while being part of something bigger than themselves.

The latest National Senior Games, held this summer in Iowa, created a space for thousands of athletes over 50 to connect and compete. So many participants registered that it became the second largest National Senior Games in history.

The athletes also achieved an impressive milestone in sports equity with equal numbers of men and women participating!

The Awe Effect

Spectators at the National Senior Games were awed by the athletes’ skill and competitive spirit. Watching The Games is inspiring, and research shows that experiencing awe can enhance well-being. Being part of a sports environment for older adults is empowering. It creates a ripple effect of positivity that extends beyond the playing field.

Sports have long been a global connector. “Camaraderie” is a word we hear often when athletes describe what makes Senior Games special. The friendships made are one-of-a-kind.

Those connections can have a direct impact on health. Research from the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) shows that National Senior Games participants experience positive psychological benefits and lower self-reported levels of depression.

Gratitude

The Senior Games will continue to be a leader in promoting individual and collective well-being during this UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. We honor the athletes, volunteers, staff and supporters who make the Senior Games a powerful force for aging well through sports. Their contributions of time, talent and generosity are what make the Senior Games matter. We appreciate the difference they make.