by Sarah Halfpenny
Engaging in sport as a senior citizen is a pathway to an active and fulfilling lifestyle. Choose a sport you enjoy and feel comfortable participating in – you can increase mobility, strength, and flexibility, enhance your mental well-being, fosters a sense of camaraderie.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a smaller court and with a slower ball, making it easier on the joints. Pickleball is growing in popularity among seniors due to its accessibility and social nature.
This relaxed outdoor game involves throwing small balls (bocce) as close as possible to a target ball (pallino). It requires strategy, precision, and can be played individually or in teams. Bocce ball is suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.
Archery is a sport that can be enjoyed by seniors looking for a combination of focus, precision, and physical activity. It helps improve concentration, balance, and coordination. Many archery ranges offer equipment rentals and lessons for beginners.
We all know this fast-paced indoor sport from watching the incredibly skilled players in the Olympics (and probably from challenging friends to a game in our younger days!), but it remains a great way to engage in friendly competition while getting a good workout at any age. It can be played at various skill levels and helps maintain quick reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and agility.
This game combines elements of traditional golf and frisbee, enjoyed in an outdoor setting. Instead of using clubs and balls, players use specialised flying discs to complete a course consisting of baskets or targets. The objective is to throw the disc into the target with the fewest number of throws. It’s low-impact, improves coordination and concentration, offers social interaction and can be played at different skill levels.
