Be a team player and get active

For many adults, the experience of playing a team sport ends in high school or university; but if you are over the age of 60 you may want to reconsider participating in a team sport as researchers claim being a ‘team player’ can provide many health and social benefits.

While there was a time when seniors were warned to take it easy and, at all costs, avoid injury by ‘keeping it safe’ by going for short walks, this is not as satisfying as the excitement of team sports.

“If you look at people who continue to participate in sports or physical activities for many, many years, they’re more likely to do it if they’re doing it with a group of people,” Dr Kirk Pappas, one of the study’s researchers and sports medicine specialist for Kaiser Santa Rosa Medical Centre, says.

According to Dr Pappas, the benefits of “hard, intense, competitive exercise” can outweigh the risks of minor injuries, particularly if the alternative is to not exercise at all; suggesting being “sedentary is a far greater health liability”.

“In team sports, we know 150 minutes of aerobic exercise is more powerful than any medicine we can give you,” he says. “It reduces the risk of complications from every disease known to mankind,” he adds.

As we age, it is expected “aches and pains” and some musculoskeletal problems may arise, but “that’s part of natural ageing”, Dr Pappas claims.

If high-impact sport is impossible for some people due to medical constraints or advancing age, Dr Pappas recommends “softer” team sports that offer the same social contact, competition and camaraderie, like bocce ball; which is a ball sport closely related to bowls and played around Europe and also in overseas areas that have received Italian migrants, including Australia, North and South America.

“Part of the problem for people as they retire is their connection to the people they meet through the work force, whether it is co-workers or other professional connections. You really can fall into an isolated state. So sports, especially team sports, offer that opportunity for connection.

“Not only is sport going to improve your health, but if you get ahead of the game with exercise you’re going to have better mental health,” Dr Pappas says.

One of the study’s participants says when she was young competitive team sports were not available to girls; but now as a 64-year-old woman she has taken up soccer and her over-50s team recently took gold.

She says having teammates who are “depending on her performance also motivates” her to strive for optimum health.

“You want to do your best for your teammates. You know you have to eat right and sleep and for me, it meant adding strength training to my routine. Being a member of a team means holding up your end,” she says.

She amazingly recalls attending the World Masters Games and saw a woman who was over the age of 100 years participating.

“I wouldn’t say there are no fears of injuries,” she admits. “But I’m in the best shape I can be. My bone density is good.”

However, researchers recommend older people seek advice from their doctor before taking part in any form of strenuous exercise.

“If you’re 85, basketball may not be your best choice,” Dr Pappas suggests.

Do you participate in team sports, and if so, do you see the benefits in it? Let us know by commenting in the box below.