By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being May is Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme, “Flip the Script on Aging,” is the perfect way to describe what happens every time an athlete steps onto the field, track or court at the National Senior Games. Whether you’re sprinting, swimming or volunteering, you

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being Something new is coming to the National Senior Games! The Mile for the Ages will debut on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Iowa State Capitol Grounds as part of the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana. This age-friendly, intergenerational event invites athletes, friends,

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being With four months to go, there are still opportunities to participate in the nation’s premier celebration of active aging through sports – the National Senior Games. Anyone age 50+ can participate in select Open Sports at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana. The

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being Athletes, volunteers, vendors and officials were the heart of the many awe-inspiring moments in Senior Games sports nationwide this past year. Having witnessed the amazing display of talent at Stade de France in Paris during the athletics competition at the last Olympic Games, it is

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being The final article of 2024 provided readers with a general overview of how to participate in the National Senior Games through an Open Sport. Our first Health and Well-being article during this Games year shares more guidance in choosing the right competition for you, whether you

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being If you’d like to be more active or build your fitness in 2025, trying a sport could be the path to take. Do any of these descriptions resonate with you? You want to be more physically active. You were inspired watching your favorite athletes in

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being Mental health resources, support and treatment are more accessible today due to the growth in how society sees mental well-being. The world of sports often reflects these cultural shifts, contributing positively to the broader discussion of mental health and helping to reduce the stigma around

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being Have you ever felt less stressed after a good sweat session? Physical activity can improve mental health and well-being, and we see this among the athletes who compete at the National Senior Games. The Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) run by Dr. Becca Jordre has

By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being “Walking is man’s best medicine” is a quote attributed to Hippocrates, the ancient Greek philosopher and father of Western medicine. Modern research agrees that getting your steps in brings many health benefits. Although fitness walking can enhance heart and lung efficiency and leg muscle strength,