Keys to Choosing an Open Sport for the 2025 Games
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being The final article of 2024 provided readers with a general overview of how to participate in the National Senior Games through an Open Sport. Our first Health and Well-being article during this Games year shares more guidance in choosing the right competition for you, whether you
- Published in Health & Well-Being
Open Sports: A Gateway to Fitness and the 2025 Games
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being If you’d like to be more active or build your fitness in 2025, trying a sport could be the path to take. Do any of these descriptions resonate with you? You want to be more physically active. You were inspired watching your favorite athletes in
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Self-Care and Resiliency Resources for Better Mental Well-Being
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being Mental health resources, support and treatment are more accessible today due to the growth in how society sees mental well-being. The world of sports often reflects these cultural shifts, contributing positively to the broader discussion of mental health and helping to reduce the stigma around
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Introduction to Mindfulness for Sports & Well-Being
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being Have you ever felt less stressed after a good sweat session? Physical activity can improve mental health and well-being, and we see this among the athletes who compete at the National Senior Games. The Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) run by Dr. Becca Jordre has
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Walking to Better Fitness
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being “Walking is man’s best medicine” is a quote attributed to Hippocrates, the ancient Greek philosopher and father of Western medicine. Modern research agrees that getting your steps in brings many health benefits. Although fitness walking can enhance heart and lung efficiency and leg muscle strength,
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Building Mental Skills for Better Sports Performance
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being The impact of mental well-being on athletic performance was a popular topic during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, and the world’s best athletes continued to elevate this conversation during the recent Paris Olympics. Sports influence society, and Olympians spoke up about the importance of managing
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Senior Games Competition is Olympism at Its Best
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being Qualifying trials for the 2024 Paris Olympics are complete, and the best athletes from around the globe will soon compete on the world stage. Also on display in Paris will be the three values of Olympism: excellence, respect and friendship. These are the building blocks
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A Time to Train Well
How to Build a Training Plan for the 1 Mile Run By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being I recently signed up for a 5K run four weeks in advance. As a generally active person, I thought this would be enough time to prepare. I soon found out – it wasn’t. My
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Powered by Connection
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being The health risks of smoking cigarettes are common knowledge. But did you know that social disconnection can be just as harmful? One study found loneliness is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and can impact health more than obesity and physical inactivity. In
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Tai Chi will Debut at the 2025 National Senior Games. Here’s Why All Athletes Should Try It.
By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being During the 2008 Summer Olympics in China, the beauty and wonder of Tai Chi Chun were displayed for the world during the opening and closing ceremonies. Often called “meditation in motion,” this martial art utilizes slow, controlled movements that connect the mind and body. When
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