Physical activity is one of the best ways to preserve your youth,
and the older you get the more important exercise becomes. A recent story
involving a 100-year-old man who completed an entire marathon, setting the
Guinness World Record for the oldest man to run a marathon, proves there really
is no excuse for not moving at any age.
If you've decided to take those first steps to leading an
active lifestyle, but haven't figured out where to start, here are five of the
best, and healthiest, sports for seniors to consider.
Disc golf
If you haven't heard of disc golf, you will soon. It's the
fastest growing sport, and also one of the easiest, and least expensive sports
you should consider trying. It's similar to club golf, but instead of lugging
around a heavy bag of expensive golf clubs, all you need is a set of discs,
much the same as a frisbee.
Disc golf courses can be found throughout the United States,
and most are free to play on. If you aren't sure if there is one located near
you, there are many websites offering this information. Disc golf is one of the
most fun ways to get your exercise, as well as to socialize.
There are many clubs that have gathered in an effort to
support the sport of disc golf for seniors, and there has even been a committee
that's developed to encourage participation. The sports offers moderate aerobic
exercise, by walking through terrain- even better on hilly courses, as well as
building muscle strength by using arms to throw.
Dancing
Dancing is another fun, and very healthy, physical activity
for seniors to take part in. It's so enjoyable, you won't even notice all the
wonderful health benefits you'll receive. By learning new steps, you'll not
long work your body, but you'll be giving your brain a work out too.
Dancing is a great way to get out of the house and socialize
with others, and the movement will improve cardiovascular health, lower blood
pressure, improve circulation and flexibility, and a wealth of other benefits.
Swimming
Swimming is a great low-impact exercise, and a sport in
which you don't need a partner in order to participate. If you don't have a
swimming pool, most communities have a local pool available for free or at low
cost to senior citizens.
Living next to the ocean here on the Oregon coast, I have a
75 year old neighbor who takes a dip in the Pacific nearly every day. Those
waters might be a little chilly for most people, but she finds it exhilarating,
and I admire her spirit.
Swimming is great cardiovascular exercise and improves
flexibility and balance, strengthens muscles, reduces risk of osteoporosis and
is a great way to maintain a healthy body weight.
No matter what you decide, just remember to get moving. Your
body will thank you for it, and, most important, you'll experience a much
improved quality of life.
K.C. Dermody has been an avid runner, hiker, and yoga
enthusiast for twenty years, and as a trained yoga instructor she taught a
variety of students from senior citizens to competitive athletes. She enjoys
combining her passion for sports, emotional and physical well-being with her
love of writing.
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