Articles
The Journal on Active Aging brings articles of value to professionals dedicated to older-adult quality of life. Content sweeps across the active-aging landscape to focus on education and practice. Find articles of interest by searching the article archives in three ways: Enter a keyword in the articles search bar; click on search by topic; or type a keyword or phrase in the general search bar at the top of the page.
Topic- Program design
Prime time for pilates by Moira Stott-Merrithew with Catherine Komlodi and Alison Hope
The trend towards more balanced, sensible approaches to health and wellness has gained momentum in the past few years. Many of those who pumped and jumped at gyms during the aerobics-crazed ’80s are physically burnt out from “feeling the burn.” The pavement-pounders notice their backs and joints aren’t what they used to be. And stressful careers and family demands leave some mentally drained and disconnected. Boomers and older adults are looking for kinder, gentler wellness solutions—and they’re exploring mind-body fitness, such as yoga, tai chi and pilates, as if their lives depended on it.
moreProgram design
Measuring functional fitness of older adults by C. Jessie Jones and Roberta E. Rikli
Helping to delay physical frailty and improve functional mobility among older adults are two of the most important goals of senior fitness instructors. Many would say the quality of life in later years depends to a large degree on being able to continue to do what you want, without pain, for as long as possible. Designing effective exercise programs that can help older adults maintain or improve their mobility requires two prerequisites:
moreProgram design
Making fitness fun by Sandy Coffman
Making fitness fun is the key to success for everyone in our business, but for the aging population, it is the key to life itself. Let's face it, having a quality life is the definition of health as we grow older, yet it becomes increasingly difficult.
You can promote the up mood of fun through special programming efforts that will keep your members or residents involved in activity, exercise and movement. The key is you, the leader and the professional. To make fun, you have to be fun, and create excitement, enthusiasm, energy, and empathy for this special population.
Program design
Functional fitness for older adults by Marge Coalman
If ever there was an ideal exercise program for older adults (including the oldest old or 85-plus age group), functional fitness is it. Although the idea may be new to most folks in this age group, the concept of fitness as a lifelong option is not new to the wellness industry. Walter M. Bortz II, MD, author of We Live Too Short and Die Too Long and Dare To Be 100, has proposed the concept and how to initiate programs for older adults for more than 20 years.
moreProgram design
Aging gracefully: yoga for older adults by Beth Shaw
Yoga is a growing trend in North America. Classes are springing up in dedicated studios, senior centers, retirement communities, health and fitness clubs, community centers, assisted living communities, wellness centers and churches. To what does this age-old practice owe its new appeal? Two reasons stand out: accessibility and multidimensional benefits.
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