Low risk sports for aging retirees are those which keep them active while enabling them to engage in competition and challenge themselves without risking injury. Below are some sports that are fun yet provide exceptional health benefits without damaging the body. Some even offer competitions and tournaments!
Cycling
Cycling gives you all the benefits of running without the wear on your joints. It will strengthen your legs and cardiovascular system but it is recommended to speak with a doctor before starting and be sure to wear a helmet and other safety equipment. If you haven’t ridden a bike in a while, you’ll probably want to start slowly and take your time.
Yoga
This ancient exercise has its origins in India and will provide unmatched flexibility and relaxation regardless of age. When practiced regularly it will strengthen your joints, alleviate anxiety and enhance your wellbeing. It is quite possibly the best low-impact exercise on this list, and while it is often associated with females, it can also be practiced by males and even those who are confined to a wheelchair.
Golf
The sport of golf originates in Scotland and since its inception has become a worldwide phenomenon, especially in the West. It sharpens the body and mind since effective performance requires memorization, planning, and hand/eye coordination. An additional benefit of golf is that it requires a great deal of walking, which gives you all the benefits of that activity, including enhancing cardiovascular health. Whether you join an elite country club with a golf course or just prefer a game of low-cost mini golf, the benefits are still the same.
Video and Board Games
Fitness involves the mind as well as the body, and there is no mental activity that will stimulate your mind more than video games and board games. While often associated with children and teens, people of all ages can play games that require you to overcome challenges and obstacles while solving puzzles of various kinds. Aging retirees that play video games or board games such as Chess or Monopoly have reduced chances of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Archery
When most people think of sports, the last thing that comes to their mind is archery, but this is a true competition that appears at the Olympics. For thousands of years, the bow was used to hunt game and provides incredible benefits to flexibility and the upper body.
However, it is essential to get the right instructor and equipment, because if you make the wrong movements you could end up injuring yourself. But when done correctly the benefits are astounding, as your cognitive skills will improve just as much as the strength of your torso, and those who excel might even enter tournaments where they can compete for prizes.
Walking
Sometimes it is best to keep things simple, and there is nothing simpler than a good old-fashioned walk in the park. While it may sound obvious that people should walk around, the reality is that in this day and age many people sit down for much of the day, whether in front of a desk or inside their automobile. Long walks bring a host of cardiovascular benefits while giving you time to think and reflect.
