Motor Adaptation Foundation

The Elderly and Active Living

Knowing that 60% of the elderly population are inactive and that an active lifestyle is cardinal to good health, it is essential to encourage the elderly to participate in regular physical activity.

We must provide the elderly with physical activity programs that are stimulating and demanding on a personal level.

In order to achieve high quality in physical activity programs and the services provided to the elderly, we must consider the principles of personal satisfaction, of freedom of choice, the respect of risks, and to cater the activity to the age of the participants.

According to the Canadian Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults, physical activity provides several advantages:


The immediate advantages are:

• To make new friends,

• To feel more relaxed,

• To sleep better,

• To entertain oneself.

The advantages of regular physical activity are:

• Help to maintain independence,

• Increase in physical and mental health,

• A better quality of life,

• Greater energy levels,

• Less aches and pain,

• Better posture and balance,

• Better self-esteem,

• Increased ability to control weight,

• Stronger muscles and bones,

• Better relaxation, less stress.

Moreover, the Canadian Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults mentions that, according to researchers in the field, physical activity contributes to reduce the risks of the following:

• Heart disease,

• Obesity,

• Adult (Type II) diabetes,

• Diabčte de l'adulte,

• Osteoporosis,

• Stroke;

• Depression,

• Colon cancer,

• Premature death.