As we age, our bodies may run into issues with physical activity; however, there are still some activities that can improve our lives. Older adults can benefit greatly from walking, biking, or doing water-based sports.
“The biggest challenges older adults face regarding staying physically fit is maintaining strength and flexibility,” Stoughton Recreation Supervisor Jeremy Kumbier said. “As we age, our metabolism slows down, and our bodies naturally lose muscle mass, making it harder to stay active. Another factor is motivation – some adults feel intimidated by exercise and worry about injuries. On the flip side, staying active is one of the best ways to combat these challenges.”
Common conditions, such as arthritis and cardiovascular issues, can be a hurdle to any older adult who wants to try out a sport; however, some sports aren’t too demanding, and doing a warm-up can allow older adults to do sports safely. A commonality between the popular sports that older adults participate in is that they’re low impact, easy on the joints, and can be done at a leisurely pace. Stoughton Health Physical Therapist Emily Devine said, “Local classes through the Senior Center, Stoughton Health Wellness Programs such as balance classes, strong bodies, and pickleball are pretty popular in this community.”
Kumiber added, “Pickleball, for example, has exploded in popularity because it’s social, requires less running than tennis, and is just plain fun. Swimming is another favorite because it provides a full-body workout without stressing the joints.”
The Stoughton Area Senior Center also is a good place for older adults to find ways to stay healthy. From chair exercises and Qi Gong to Wii Bowling, there are many activities that older adults can do to maintain their physical health. Their monthly newsletter lists ongoing classes and groups that older adults could join. A big concern that they mentioned was isolation in older populations.
In 2023, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging did a poll and found that roughly ⅓ of people aged 50-80 (34%) reported feeling isolated from people. The National Institute of Aging lists high blood pressure, heart disease, weakened immune function, cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease as having a higher chance of occurring in older adults who face isolation. The NIA explained, “Emotional pain can activate the same stress responses in the body as physical pain. When this goes on for a long time, it can lead to chronic inflammation…and reduced immunity.”
As such, an important emphasis that the SASC has is that older adults can socialize and form connections. In addition to the sports they offer, the center hosts events that older adults can do in their pastime, such as pool, wood crafts, etc.
Retirement can also allow many older adults to try activities they couldn’t do before. Work, raising little kids, and dealing with finances are all factors that can stop people from trying out new things. As Kumiber mentioned, “Believe it or not, running marathons has seen a growing number of runners in their 60s, 70s, and even in their 80s who regularly participate in races. Many people take up distance running later in life as a way to challenge themselves, stay fit, and be part of a community. It’s inspiring to see older athletes setting records and proving that age is just a number.”
