More Captivating Than the Olympics: Bravery Among an Elite Few
Excitement is growing as the Winter Olympics approach. Yet, while the Olympic Games are an amazing display of human potential, there is arguably an even greater achievement . . .
Older adults who have maintained their fitness over the course of a life time are among an elite few.
Most adults over the age of 80 no longer mow their lawn, get their own groceries, or even live independently. Yet, in a story that will move you to tears, the San Diego Splash Women’s Basketball Team gives an example of older adults who have aged with vigor. CLICK HERE to watch.
Why are fit older adults more amazing than Olympic Athletes? To be fair, they are both amazing. However, most Olympians are in their 20’s and have trained intensely for a couple decades. On the other hand, people who have maintained their fitness for 80-90 years demonstrate a level of commitment and courage that has endured across a life-time.
Sadly, these women reported that the biggest barriers to their exercise success were naysayers. Their friends and family members tried to discourage them from playing by evoking fear. Specifically, they said things like, “they’re going to take you out” and “you’re going to break your arm and leg.”
I wish I could give those friends and family members the benefit of the doubt and assume their concerns were only to protect their sister or friend. But sadly, their negative comments were more likely about self-protection.
The indisputable benefits of exercise to health and quality of life have been well documented across all age groups. There is risk of injury with exercise participation, but there is an even greater risk of disease and chronic injury from inactivity and sedentariness. Anyone who says otherwise is either uninformed, or is motivated to protect their own self-esteem by keeping the effort of those around them low.
As humans, we are social beings that generally want to fit in and don’t want to be seen as one who rocks the boat. In social and familial groups, if a member starts exercising, this changes the group norms. Thus, the non-exercising members feel a subtle pressure to conform to the new norms in order to avoid being seen as an “under-achiever.” Under-achievers feel a relief from this pressure when the norm challenging persons cease to exercise.
It takes a level of bravery to challenge social norms and endure negative comments from friends and family. The Splash Women of San Diego give us a living example of this level of bravery. They challenge the status quo and push back against the societal expectations that aim to keep them in a recliner watching TV. The benefits of playing can be seen in the level of life, energy, longevity, and deep friendships that have been grown through shared common experience.
“It can be done. Even if you get older. You only have one life. Go for it! Keep moving and you’ll think you’re a lot younger than you really are. As long as I can, I’m gonna play- it’s just too much fun!”
– Splash Women’s Basketball Player, 80+ years of age
Call to Action
When you challenge the social norms in your familial and social circles by exercising and growing yourself in your health and fitness, expect resistance from others. Then, smilingly, unapologetically, stand your ground and resist the pressure to sell yourself short of a rich and healthy life. Grow your social circle to include others who are like you in your health and fitness values. Finally, live with a ferocious energy that is contagious in a such a way as to make your example of an active lifestyle the new normal.
Subscribe and stay tuned for next week for the sequel to this article that will undercover the protective effects of exercise both physiologically and psychologically as we age.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
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References:
Haff., G. G., & Triplett, N. T. (2017). Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Pargman, D. & Urska, D. (2018). Exercise and Aging. In S. Razon & M. L. Sachs (Eds.), Applied Exercise Psychology. (5-14). New York: Routledge.
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