Better Balance Supports Sports Performance and Daily Living

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) states that neuromuscular training—alongside cardiorespiratory, resistance and flexibility exercise—is essential for maintaining health. A core component of neuromuscular training is balance, which is especially important for both sports performance and falls prevention in senior athletes. Good balance is

Still Competing at 100: Meet National Senior Games Centenarians

Do you want to live to be 100? Many people aspire to reach this impressive milestone, and we celebrate those who do with well-deserved fanfare. Turning 100 is a feat only a small sliver – 0.03% of the U.S. population – achieves. Even smaller is the number of centenarians who still compete in sports! Several

Ethel Lehmann stands atop a podium at the 2025 National Senior Games with a gold medal around her neck and holding a

159 New NSGA Records Notched at 2025 Games

Athletes at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana produced impressive performances, including achieving 159 new event records during the 12-day championship in Iowa. Swimming led the count with 55 new National Senior Games Association (NSGA) records set at the Wellmark YMCA in downtown Des Moines. Charlotte Davis of Washington wowed in her first

Determined Pickleballer Works Through Disability to Compete

September 2025 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Diane Stelpflug, 65 New Berlin, Wisconsin Watching Diane Stelpflug enter the Iowa Events Center for Pickleball at the National Senior Games with a pronounced limp, one might easily assume she was a spectator toting gear for a friend. But a remarkable transformation takes place

An athlete stands on one leg with their eyes closed. A physical therapy professional stands next to them, closely watching and holding a stopwatch.

Optimal Aging at the 2025 National Senior Games

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being The Senior Games movement celebrates active aging, fosters social connection and empowers older adults by providing opportunities to engage in competitive sports. A key part of our health and well-being goals for the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana was to offer activities that

Three athletes stand together smiling.

Derrick Milligan’s “Insurance Policy” is Paying Benefits

August 2025 Athlete of the Month By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Derrick Milligan, 60 Chicago, Illinois On a misty, muggy morning at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana, lifelong athlete and Team Dream coach Derrick Milligan watched members of the three teams he brought to Des Moines for the Triathlon Relay compete. He

The Relentless Spirit of Powerlifter Janell Thomas

Coach Gabriel Mahuda describes Janell Thomas as a warrior with an unstoppable spirit, a powerlifter who always goes for one more rep. Janell is competing at the National Senior Games to inspire other women to find their own strength and never stop moving. Janell Thomas is making history at the 2025 National Senior Games presented

Small Town of Cherokee Makes a Big Mark at The Games

A small community in Cherokee, North Carolina has defied its size to send a large and competitive delegation to the National Senior Games, including over 40 Cornhole players!  The 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana has brought together thousands of athletes from across the country. However, a small town in North Carolina is making

4×100 Meter Relay Brings Athletes Together for One Last Race

In the final event of the track competition at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana, athletes traded rivalry for teamwork in the 4×100 relay, forming their own teams after a week of individual races.  In the women’s 55+ division, Diahann Armstrong (60), Donna Lawrence (57), Veronica LeShore (59), and Andrea Collier (59) sprinted

Table Tennis player Priya Chinnasawmy fiercely competes at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana.

Priya Chinnaswamy Serves Up the Truth About Table Tennis

Priya Chinnaswamy is an elite table tennis player, and wants to teach others that the sport is more than first impressions.  “Table Tennis is not just a garage or a bar sport. People don’t realize an hour of table tennis can burn over 200 calories,” Priya Chinnaswamy, an elite table tennis player, explained when asked