Fitness and social activity are vital to maintaining a healthy and balanced life. Participating in senior sporting leagues is a great way to integrate these elements into your lifestyle as an active senior. You don’t have to be an acrobat like the incredible gymnasts up at Cirque du Soleil Montreal, but you may be surprised at the variety of sports that offer leagues for older participants.
“Granny basketball” leagues are popular on the West Coast of the United States, and seem to be gaining popularity. This game of women’s basketball for senior ladies is slightly modified but still tons of fun according to the active women shooting hoops on the court. The game is played by the rules that govern girls “six on six” basketball but only half or a third of the court is played. This modification cuts down the amount of running involved to keep the ball moving.
Nintendo’s Wii game system has enabled many seniors to participate virtually in sports that limited mobility has kept them from enjoying for some time. Wii bowling leagues for older citizens are forming in senior centers across the United States. There are even plans for a prize money circuit in the works for mid-2009.
Golf leagues are a favorite among many active seniors. It’s a sport that offers great opportunities for low-impact cardiovascular exercise. Playing 18 holes of golf can involve walking three to five miles. Golf helps improve hand-eye coordination and balance which are vital to remaining active.
Many local senior softball leagues are supported by the International Senior Softball Association. This non-profit organization holds an annual ISSA World Championship for senior amateur softball players. There’s a significant group of senior athletes around the world participating in this sport. Do you still have your mit? Maybe it’s time to look up a league in your area and show them what you have.
Many local parks and recreation organizations offer information about senior citizen sports leagues. Some leagues are informal while others are highly organized and competitive. Volleyball, tennis, softball, bowling, and table tennis are just a few of the leagues that may already be thriving in your area. If you find there isn’t a league already formed around a sport that you have a passion for, consider taking the lead and organizing one. This is a great way to meet people that share the same interests that you do.
Did you know that the National Senior Games Association, part of the United States Olympic Committee, is hosting the 2009 summer games August 1-15 in the San Francisco Bay Area? Competitions will be held in Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Golf, Horseshoes, Race Walk, and many other sports. More than 14,000 athletes fifty years old and older are expected to compete. You may not be ready for the Senior Games yet, but there’s probably a local sports league that may just add some fun to your life.
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