Good Life Games - Senior Health Page

No Matter What Your Age Over 50,
The Good Life Games are For You!

By Dr. Bob Simons
Senior Games participant, Good Life Games Board of Trustee Member, & CEO and President of Simons Fitness Enterprises, Inc.

If you're over the age of 50 and worried that you're not as strong or fast or mobile as you once were—you are not alone. We are all aging, but don’t compound that realization with the mindset that we have stopped growing. Life-satisfaction is a lifelong quest, and is embodied in the National Institute on Health’s Six Dimensions of Wellness and our nation’s National Blueprint Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Age 50 and Older. The integration of these six dimensions of wellness; physical, emotional, social, intellectual, vocational, and spiritual often define us as individuals. The Senior Olympics can open or re-open this portal to life, not just the physical dimension! No matter what your current status is, the Senior Olympic Games (Good Life Games) are for you!

My profession is devoted to enhancing the quality of life of our nation’s senior citizens, and without exception events such as these have done so, and often in a big way. Even if you’re not ready or able to compete in track and field, the wide variety of over 40 competitions ranging from photography, line-dancing, bridge, golf, to the 100 meter sprint are available for you to select from. To take it one step further, even involving yourself as a volunteer or spectator can be extremely personally advantageous and satisfying. In fact, my involvement as a spectator to the 2001 National Senior Olympic Games in Baton Rouge , Louisiana catapulted my professional and personal involvement and enthusiasm into the senior games. I now compete regularly and donate many hours to supporting these games as a Good Life Games Board of Trustee member.

Senior Games competition is primarily an Olympic-style sports event that promotes healthy lifestyles for seniors through fitness, sports, active lifestyle, and athletic competition. But, to promote competition and active lifestyle behaviors many non-sporting type events have been added. The range of events and competitions are meant to attract and involve ALL senior adults. The listing of events and competitions can be found on this website under the sidebar menu button “GLG 2005 Schedule” on this or any GLG webpage.

The competition is always fair. Senior Games are set in five-year age groups for men and women: ages 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, all the way up. The U.S. Olympic Committee sanctions the Senior Games in the U.S. , and various state government agencies, in cooperation with the National Senior Games Office (www.nsga.com), coordinate the events. Senior Games begin at the district level within the states. The top four finishers in each age group and event advance to the State Games. During the State Senior Games, the top finishers advance to the National Senior Games held in different parts of the U.S. every two years.

Here's the important part: Why you should seriously consider entering the Good Life Games in Pinellas County this year. The closest thing we have to the “Fountain of Youth” is exercise, and with the explosion of age-related recent physiological research, seniors are starting to get the message!

Why everyone over 50 should become involved in the Good Life Games

Did you know?

Almost all older adults, regardless of age or condition, can safely improve their health and independence through exercise and physical activity.
In the year 2000, about 35 million people, 12.2 % of the entire US population, were age 65 or older.
By 2030 the number will double to 70 million, about 22% of the entire US population.
88% of seniors have at least one chronic condition that can be improved or managed with exercise.
Americans over age 55 are the fastest-growing age group among gym members, up more than 266 percent since 1987 -- more than twice the rate for U.S. health club members as a whole.
Frequent health club attendance (100 days) has soared to a new high of 13.5 million. While they already account for 23% of the total memberships, people over 55 represent 28% of all frequent attendees.
After age 30 adults lose an average of 10 ounces of lean body mass per year.
Gradual loss of muscle strength is the main reason elderly Americans have difficulty performing the tasks of daily living and ultimately loose their independence.
24% of people over age 50 who have a hip fracture die within a year.
30% of community dwelling seniors fall each year.
Muscle weakness has been identified as the biggest potentially modifiable risk factor for falling.
Despite a decrease in muscle fibers and strength, muscle function can be maintained or improved with training even in the very old.
Even a slight increase in muscle strength can improve quality of life and stave off the frailty that used to be considered a normal part of getting old.
Besides strength, older adults lose ground in endurance, balance and flexibility.
How successfully a person ages is 1/3 genetics and 2/3’s lifestyle

New biomedical research proves why exercise and physical activity are so important. Current neuroscience research has even proven that exercise has an extremely beneficial effect on cognitive function, as well as, emotional state. As a matter of fact, the World Health Organization published the Heidelberg Guidelines in 1997. This publication delineated the many health and functional benefits of increased physical activity for adults over the age of 60 years. These benefits ranged from physiological, to psychological, to psychosocial, both immediate and long-term benefits. Many of the functional loses and chronic illnesses seniors encounter can be derived from simple physical inactivity. Listed below are just a few of the benefits to increased physical activity for older adults .

1. Lower Blood Pressure
2. Decrease risk for Heart Disease
3. Reduce Stress
4. Decrease risk for Diabetes
5. Increase Cardiovascular Efficiency
6. Improve Self-Esteem
7. Decrease onset of Osteoporosis
8. Increase Muscle Tone
9. Slow Aging Process
10. Improve Lung Capacity
11. Improve Sex Life
12. Lower Body Fat
13. Improve Body Image
14. Improve Immune System Efficiency
15. Increase Metabolism
16. Improve Flexibility
17. Improve Balance and Stability
18. Improve Mood-State
19. Increase energy Levels
20. Enhances Mobility, Autonomy, Independence , Longevity

Use Caution when initiating an exercise program! Don't just jump in; ease in to exercise. Fitness training, whether anaerobic or aerobic, is clearly productive no matter what your age. One should address all four components of fitness; muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. Consult an expert if you are unsure, and if your program is aggressive, consult with your physician and get a medical clearance for your intended activity. On our coaching and training page of this website, I will offer good sound advice for inexperienced seniors who wish start an exercise program, as well as, a source to the experts.

Author contact Information:
Dr. Bob Simons
Simons Fitness Enterprises, Inc.
WWW.SIMONSSAYS.COM