By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being
The Senior Games movement provides a pathway for individuals ages 50 and over to stay active through sports. We believe that participating in sports positively impacts the lives of seniors, and we want as many people as possible to experience the health and well-being benefits of active aging.
This March, the National Senior Games Association is launching inaugural National Senior Games Week to raise awareness of the opportunities Senior Games organizations provide for fitness, how they support participants in aging well, and their role in strengthening communities.
Will you join us to celebrate National Senior Games Week March 18-24, 2024? If you want to get active, keep reading for some compelling reasons to join the Senior Games. If you are already an athlete, share this information with a friend and invite them along for your next workout.
Stay Moving Through Sports
Moving through sports is a great way to interrupt the mid-life decline in physical activity and say no to slowing down. Although the benefits of sports are numerous for participants of any age, sport participation declines as athletes get older. While 70% of adults played sports as youth, only 20% of adults aged 50+ reported playing sports in a 2015 poll (NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health). Even if you are totally new to sports, it’s never too late. Many Senior Games participants did not start competing in sports till their 50s, 60s, 70s or beyond.
Recreational and competitive sports are a fun way for older adults to stay physically active and boost mental health. Research from the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (formerly known as the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam) found Senior Games athletes have walking speeds similar to adults in their 30s, lower levels of depression, anxiety and less self-reported stress than typical older adults. One of most significant findings was these athletes reported lower rates of falls with only 10% falling during the previous year.
With the next National Senior Games coming up in the summer of 2025, you have some time to find the right sport for you and qualify to compete. Try one of our new sports like Tai Chi or Power Lifting, or a mainstay like Swimming. Qualifying State Senior Games are happening throughout 2024, so find one near you and sign up today.
If you’re already active, consider trying different sports. Recently I wrote about the value of sports sampling for athletes. Trying a different, but complementary sport decreases the likelihood of developing repetitive stress injuries. It can also positively impact your brain health and plasticity by using different movement patterns and stimulating various parts of your brain.
Senior Games are here to support you on your health and well-being journey and provide enjoyable opportunities to compete. Help us spread this message during National Senior Games Week!
