Staying active is extremely important in maintaining health and vitality at every age. And when it comes to seniors, it’s also very important that they remain physically active to prevent stagnation. Oftentimes, when seniors stop moving, taking care of themselves, and performing physical exercises, their minds begin to deteriorate as well. Therefore, if you’re an aging senior or you have a senior in your family that you want to keep as healthy as possible, it’s important that sports are encouraged.

A Word of Caution Before You Get Started

Keep in mind that a senior can’t perform the same feats that younger athletes can accomplish. The ultimate goal of getting a senior involved in physical activities like sports is simply to keep the body strong, the blood pumping, and every organ system functioning properly. If there’s any difficulty or strain, a different activity should be chosen. And, of course, regular visits with a doctor will ensure that the activity is having positive effects on a senior’s overall health.

Swimming

Swimming is a great cardiovascular workout for people of all ages, but this low-impact sport is perfect for seniors who suffer from joint problems and muscle aches. The water provides enough resistance that the muscles will be worked, and there’s even specialised workout equipment, like dumbbells, that can be utilised in the water to build even more strength than would be derived from simply swimming laps. Another great advantage to swimming is that it’s a relaxing activity.

Seniors who regularly swim not only see improvements in their cardiovascular and respiratory health, they also see improved endurance and stamina, more flexibility, more balance, and the ability to maintain a healthy weight while reducing the risk of diseases like osteoporosis.

Walking and Jogging

Walking and jogging are also highly popular activities amongst seniors. These sports provide cardiovascular benefits while helping seniors maintain their muscles and their ideal weight level.

For seniors who can jog, the sport provides countless physical benefits. Getting the blood pumping helps to also clean out toxins from the body while getting nutrients to the brain for greater mental acuity. For those seniors who cannot handle jogging, brisk walking is enough to bring the heart rate up and to increase the metabolism while also maintaining muscles and a strong mind.

Golf

Many seniors enjoy the sport of golf because it is a quiet and relaxing sport that requires focus and precision, helping to maintain a senior’s strong mind. The great thing about golf, too, is that it does, indeed, work the muscles of the arms, shoulders, hips, and legs. The sport requires quite a bit of walking as well, which is a wonderful addition to a senior’s regular physical activities.

Tennis

Yet another great sport for seniors is tennis. This sport requires them to move around quickly and use their arm muscles. Tennis is a low-impact sport that is also a great way to socialise with friends, so seniors who have tennis-playing buddies can certainly have a fun time spending time outdoors on the tennis court.

Swimming is one of the best sports anyone can do! It is a great workout for the whole body. Sophie O’Donnell, a health and fitness guru often visits www.puddleducks.com to check out the latest swimming lessons for her clients and their children.

Photo Credits: Wikipedia

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