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.
Pickleball: Participation, passion and fractures on the rise by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Pickleball has taken the United States and the world by storm. In the US alone, participation increased 52% between 2022 and 2023, to 13.6 million players. What's more, players ages 55 and up were the largest age bracket of pickleball players in 2021. Increasingly, pickleball is a "must-have" amenity in communities and community centers serving active agers. So, too, are trainers and coaches to help individuals play safely.
moreProgram design
Thistledown: More than a place to live by Beth Witrogen, MJ
More Boomers are living alone today while also trying to maintain affordable housing in a sprawling nation built for younger, working families. Alarmingly, the risk for becoming unhoused is rising among older adults, especially those living alone. A pioneering cooperative model for senior living is successfully balancing autonomy and interdependence for low-income solo agers, building community on purpose to foster wellness.
moreGerontology
Physical literacy and active aging: A holistic approach to physical activity promotion by Rebecca Lloyd, PhD, and Stephen Smith, PhD
The benefits of being physically active throughout the life course are tremendous, not only from a disease-prevention perspective, but also in terms of the positive feelings of moving with and alongside others. However, simply advising others to become more active is ineffective without considering how they feel when moving and the extent of social, emotional, and community support available to maintain active motivation.
moreHealth promotion
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: How active-aging professionals can help older adults move more by Malorie Polster, MPH, CHES; Bianca Macias, MPH, CPH; Alison Vaux-Bjer
The United States government has followed the latest edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans with a midcourse report all about older adults. The report emphasizes that it is never too late to start or restart physical activity. Health and wellness professionals are uniquely positioned to help older adults incorporate more physical activity into their lives.
moreHealth promotion
Unveiling nutritional requirements of older adults, part two by Sandy Todd Webster
In the pursuit of active aging, our journey unfolds through the choices we make--a narrative shaped by multiple determinants of health such as natural movement, stress reduction, a sense of belonging--and the foods we consume. This is the second half of a feature offering a primer on nine essential nutrients in which adults 55+ are often deficient. Review the remaining five nutrients and how to put them in an eating plan.
moreGerontology
Virtual reality: A fun way to motivate older adults to move by Marilynn Larkin, MA
Can virtual reality (VR) technology be used to motivate older adults to move? The answer seems to be a clear yes. Participants in a randomized, controlled pilot study in an independent living community were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about a VR intervention. Preliminary findings suggest an increase in time spent in physical activity.
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