Let’s get physical!

There was a time, not too long ago, when the idea of older adults exercising vigorously seemed foreign. After all, "retirement" meant kicking back and relaxing, not stressing the body with high-intensity exercises. Beyond a certain age, many viewed exercising as a risk to their health. Oh, how times have changed. Driven by research, supported by the media, and embraced by many, exercise—whether you call it fitness, working out, physical or functional movement—has become the poster child for healthy aging. In fact, 95% of older adults surveyed in a recent AARP study said that regular exercise would improve their general health, 94% believed it would boost their physical fitness, and 90% thought it would enhance their overall appearance. Additionally, 93% believed it would help them live longer and healthier lives. How is the industry responding to this growing awareness of the benefits of staying active?

The industry has responded by catering to its patrons, as highlighted in the ICAA Wellness Programs and Trends Report 2024. For instance, 97% of senior living communities offer fitness and exercise programs or services regularly, and 70% have a fitness-only center or room. It's not just indoor exercise that's on offer—82% have walking trails or paths, and 30% provide sports courts (e.g., tennis, pickleball).

While communities are regularly offering fitness programs delivered by residents and staff, participation and outcomes still need improvement. Why is this? Perhaps because few adults over 50 follow the CDC's exercise guidelines. Only one-third of those surveyed by AARP were aware of the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise, and even fewer achieve this target. Typically, those who do manage 150 minutes a week spread it across five to seven days. While understanding of the benefits of exercise is high, there's work to be done in educating people about how much exercise is needed to reap these benefits.

That's why in the latest issue of the Journal on Active Aging we asked Professors Rebecca Lloyd and Stephen Smith to tackle this challenge head-on, exploring the importance of physical literacy in active aging. We also asked Malorie Polster, MPH, CHES; Bianca Macias, MPH, CPH; Alison Vaux-Bjerke, MPH, MCHES; and Katrina L. Piercy, PhD, RD, ACSM-CEP, FACSM to guide us through the updated Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report, offering insights on how you can help your residents of members become more active. These articles, among others, will support your efforts to understand, inform, and impact your participants' health and well-being by helping you better understand the physical activity guidelines and their implications.

While we might think we already know all this, the AARP findings suggest that we need to rethink how we engage with our residents and members. We need to inspire them to take action and to participate meaningfully to achieve a better quality of life. After all, today's efforts can lead to better health, improved balance, and cardiovascular capacity in the long run. The results are worth it: the AARP survey found that those exercising at least 150 minutes per week rated specific dimensions of their health higher than those exercising less than 30 minutes:

? Brain health/mental sharpness: 90% vs. 80%

? Emotional/spiritual well-being: 92% vs. 81%

? Mental health: 91% vs. 78%

? Overall health: 88% vs. 69%

? Physical health: 86% vs. 56%

Now, that's worth breaking a sweat for.