How safe is sports for the elderly?

I’m Gregory Volitich, future sports trainer. Normally, I help around high schools, colleges, and universities with their sports programs. However, this summer, I’ll be lending a hand to my community. One of the programs involves seniors with their therapeutic activities.

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If you’ve been reading my blogs, you know just how important safety is to me. And with the elderly, a sports trainer like me should be at the top of my game.

The reality of the situation is that as you get older, the body loses some of its sturdiness. Bones become more brittle and it takes longer for a person to recover from any injury. So, the question now becomes – how safe is sports for the elderly?

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It depends really on what sports. While I’m sure that sports will do senior citizens good, they have to choose sports they can do, sports like golf, swimming, running, cycling. High-impact and contact sports are out of the question, unless monitored closely by sport officials.

Safety for the elderly in sports also depends on preparation. The usual warm-up and stretching routines still apply. Safety gear has to be in check. And the intensity at which they play should be a few notches lower.

What do you think about the elderly and sports? Feel free to share your thoughts with me, Gregory Volitich, in the comments section below.
I am Gregory Volitich, a student at the University of Florida and a future sports trainer. Learn more about sports science by checking out this blog.