photo credit National Senior Games AssociationThe Good Life Games of Pinellas County encourage adults 50 and over to participate in their own “Senior Olympics,” to promote athleticism and healthy lifestyles. Many older adults are intimidated by the idea of athletic competition, out of fear that an injury or lameness could permanently limit their mobility. Specifically designed to meet the physical capabilities of older adults, the Olympic-style games include archery, track and field, swimming, cycling, and others. Players in Good Life Games are also eligible for statewide and national competitions.
The Good Life Games program was founded in 1979 to promote the vitality and quality of life of older adults, 88 percent of whom have at least one chronic condition. These conditions can be improved or managed with exercise. Many seniors are also uncomfortable with the idea of competing with younger, fitter individuals. Good Life Games provide older adults with a unique program that enables them to compete with peers facing similar physical and emotional challenges, and in events tailored to meet their mobility status.
Today, Good Life Games and approximately 20 other Regional Florida Senior Games host hundreds of athletes, ranging in age from 50 to 90 years, in a series of year-round competitive events sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Both athletic and recreational games are included. Opportunities for social events, volunteerism and other activities are also featured. The county-wide Games are supported through the public/private partnerships of cities, media and corporate sponsors, volunteers, and more. The Pinellas County Games are one of the earliest and most successful Senior Games competitions in the country. The fine reputation of the Games attracts older athletes from places as far as New Jersey, Texas, and Canada. The Games culminate in the yearly Florida Senior Games State Championships, in which champions from each of the Florida counties are selected to participate.
The competition is always fair, as Senior Games are played in five-year age groupings for men and women, and include traditional athletic disciplines such as cycling, track and field, and swimming. To ensure accessibility for all older adults, many lower-impact and lower-intensity events have been added to the roster, from shuffleboard and table tennis to bocce. For some athletes, competition continues after the statewide championship Games end. The top finishers progress to the biennial National Senior Games. Good Life Games are funded by a variety of local and state organizations, including the City of Clearwater, the area Rotary Club, and AEGON. Additional funding also comes from entry fees, which average $25 per athlete. Just as important, however, are the hours devoted by volunteers who organize and referee the Good Life Games.
Numerous studies have shown that older adults who exercise are at lower risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, and have an improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of falling. Public health organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, continue to promote exercise as an important component of the health and well-being of older adults. The number of older adults who participate in the Good Life Games and other athletic initiatives focused on them are likely to see increased participation and recognition as a valuable community service.
More information can be found at http://www.goodlifegames.org/