When you think of retirement, you probably think of relaxing by a beach somewhere, sipping on a fruity drink without a care in the world. Odds are, you aren’t thinking about working out or anything that requires much physical activity for that matter. You’ve worked all those years, and this is your chance to sit back, kick your feet up, and relax.
However, too much relaxation and not enough exercise can be damaging to your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 60% of seniors ages 65 – 74 are physically inactive, and about 65% of seniors ages 75 or older report being physically inactive.
Taking up a sport in retirement can benefit seniors in many ways. The extra dose of activity done while playing a sport can help you prevent and manage health conditions, as well as promote a healthy cognitive state. Here are five specific reasons to take up a sport in retirement.
Maintain a healthy weight
One of the main reasons anyone exercises is to maintain a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important in your later years because obesity is much more common in seniors and can cause additional health conditions, such as diabetes. Practicing a sport a couple of days a week will ensure that you keep off those unwanted pounds.
While any sport can help you maintain a healthy weight, the sports that require high levels of endurance training are likely your best bet at dropping pounds quickly. Swimming, running, and jogging are all examples of sports that can help in the weight department.
Prevent osteoporosis
Another common health condition seniors are prone to developing is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes a person’s bones to break easily. This effect happens because the person’s bone mass to deplete over time—the reduction in bone mass results in fragile bones.
Sports that involve weight-bearing exercises or strength training can help strengthen your bones and therefore, prevent osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises are basically any activity done while on your feet. So, running, dancing, and tennis are all examples of weight-bearing exercises. Strength training can involve lifting weights or doing push-ups.
Improve cognitive and physical function
By taking up a sport in retirement, you are giving yourself the chance to improve both your cognitive and physical function. Sports such as tennis, golf, and soccer can enhance your balance. Improved balance ultimately prevents falls, which are extremely common among older adults. These sports can also improve your joint health.
Sports also help maintaining your hand-eye coordination. Good hand-eye coordination is needed to operate a vehicle – the longer you’re able to operate a vehicle well, the longer you’ll be able to live independently. Your cognitive function is improved while playing sports because you’re not only exercising your joints and muscles, but your mind is being stimulated too. Exercising has been linked back to preventing cognitive impairments such as dementia and depression.
Strengthen your heart
Just as it strengthens your bones, joints, and muscles, sport activity also strengthens your heart. Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common conditions among seniors. Sports that involve cardio exercises can be very beneficial for your heart. Try swimming, jogging, or cycling to help strengthen your heart.
Have a reason to leave your home
While some retirees set off on adventures in retirement, others become homebodies. Being a homebody could mean that you spend several hours a day alone while on the couch. Too many hours spent alone in retirement can result in depression in extreme cases. This isn’t unheard of in the senior population either.
Taking up a sport in retirement gives you a reason to leave your house and socialize with others. This can result in making new friends, rekindling old friendships, traveling out of your comfort zone, and more. All of which makes retirement more fun.
Understandably, the physical inactivity rate is higher among seniors who have one or more chronic disease. However, depending on the disease, exercise could help manage the health condition or its symptoms. But again, retirement is supposed to be fun. So, instead of working out in a boring gym, try taking up a sport in retirement to help you stay healthy while having fun.
