{"id":10039,"date":"2014-04-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-04-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.philips.com\/resources\/blog\/2014\/04\/surprising-fitness-trends-for-seniors.html"},"modified":"2023-10-25T11:14:51","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T15:14:51","slug":"surprising-fitness-trends-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.com\/blog\/surprising-fitness-trends-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"Surprising Fitness Trends for Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Remember when you were in grammar school and the high point of your day was recess? Kids relished outdoor exercise as a time to play. Then along with adulthood came exercise<\/a>: Fitness trends and equipment hawked through TV infomercials replaced good old-fashioned outdoor play. Although deemed \u201cgood for you,\u201d exercise gadgets\u2019 appeal may not have been as strong as \u201cplay.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a senior, you\u2019ve watched trends come and go. You know that if you wait long enough, everything comes back into fashion. Two surprising fitness theories are reemerging: \u201cPlay is exercise\u201d and \u201cless is more.\u201d Capitalizing on these trends can lead to a brighter tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Back to the Future with Stephen Jepson\u2019s Playground<\/h2>\n

Meet 72-year-old\u00a0Stephen Jepson<\/a>: Some might call him eccentric, but it\u2019s clear that Jepson is no crackpot. He\u2019s a former University of Florida professor and business owner who\u2019s living by his philosophy \u2014 a philosophy that also happens to be one of the most appealing fitness trends for fit seniors.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a lifetime fitness trend that he calls \u201cNever Leave the Playground,\u201d and he\u2019s spent several years researching it. It\u2019s based on the premise that lifetime fitness is achieved through the mantra \u201cjust keep moving\u201d rather than through formal exercise programs<\/a>. Some of his \u201cactivities\u201d include knife throwing, tightrope walking, unicycle riding, and swimming. But is \u201cplay\u201d actually an effective fitness trend?<\/p>\n

Jepson reports that, since his 65th birthday, he\u2019s won over 80 gold medals in swimming. You\u2019ll find many videos of Jepson \u201cat play\u201d on his website, as well as some fun activities you can do at home. Jepson believes that no matter what your age or physical condition, play can enhance your life and your mind. If your doctor agrees, there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t join the fun!<\/p>\n

Mark Sisson, Former Triathlete and Senior Player<\/h2>\n

Sixty-year-old former triathlete and blogger\u00a0Mark Sisson<\/a>\u00a0says he\u2019s more fit today than he ever was during his days as an athlete when he worked out for hours on end. These days, he stays fit mostly through play and \u201cmoving slowly.\u201d In addition to working out as little as 10 minutes a day, he enjoys play \u2014 snowboarding, hiking, surfing, and walks along the beach. He\u2019s living proof that less exercise and more play is one of the emerging fitness trends that may enhance general wellness. When asked about the best exercise<\/a>, Sisson responded by saying, \u201cThe single best exercise there is, hands down, is the one you\u2019ll do.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Does the Science Say?<\/h2>\n

Scientists have told us repeatedly that we need to keep moving, and a recent study published in the\u00a0Journal of Physical Activity and Health,<\/i>\u00a0and reported by Time magazine<\/a>, confirms that \u201cmoving\u201d seniors are healthier than their sedentary peers. It also cites a greater incidence of disabilities in those over 60 with a sedentary lifestyle. The study further confirms that a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to a host of medical problems, such as:<\/p>\n