Today as the US celebrates a low key 27th, National Senior Health & Fitness Day more than 10000 older adults are expected to participate in local health and fitness events at over 1,00 locations across the country on the same day.

 National Senior Health & Fitness Day will offer fitness activities for older adults at more than 100 locations including hospitals, park and recreation departments, senior centers, health clubs, retirement communities, houses of worship, health departments, and other community locations. The event is always held on the last Wednesday in May as part of Older Americans Month activities.

Programs will range from small group exercise demonstrations in community senior centers to walking tours and health fairs. Most programs include an exercise or physical activity component, as well as information about senior subjects.

"Older adults at all levels of physical fitness are encouraged to participate in National Senior Health & Fitness Day," says Patricia Henze, National Senior Health & Fitness Day program manager. "Our goals for Senior Day are to make exercise fun, to increase awareness of the benefits of a regular exercise program for older adults, and to encourage all older adults to take advantage of the many health and fitness programs offered in their communities."

Back at home, there is a misconception that aged persons cannot exercise, especially strength training. But it is internationally proven that a person who is becoming older is most lacking in his or her muscle strength because they are losing their hormones and body balance. So, if they train themselves in strength training, they can strengthen their upper and lower body parts and also increases their metabolic process say the experts. They also added, that senior citizens have a lot of mental barriers about exercising and they depend more on doctors. 

At US people spend time with their grandparents, parents, in-laws to help them participate in various events. In India we may start in the same way to encourage physical activity among the senior citizens. A government campaign with private participation would also help. If not exercise, experts advise them to associate themselves with some kind of physical activity whether it is gardening, yoga, or even cleaning their own room as they would help them to enhance their overall well-being.

But on this National Senior Health and Fitness Day 2020, all you have to do is stay at home,  and teach your elders the value of exercise, maybe you can show them one or two and make the lockdown, a bit more fun!

-Inputs from 'The Hindu'