Physical Activity as Healing: This Science Debunks 'No Time' as an Valid Reason

In recent years, the importance of physical activity (PA) for older adults has gained significant attention. Researcher Birgitta Langhammer of the Oslo Metropolitan University's Faculty of Health Sciences and Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital has found that PA is a protective factor for various noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Moreover, PA is associated with improved mental health, a delay in the onset of dementia, and improved quality of life and wellbeing.

However, many elderly people face challenges in maintaining PA due to difficulties negotiating everyday costs of activity participation, such as scheduling conflicts and competing sedentary activities, or health issues. To address this, initiatives like the Exercise Is Medicine (EIM) Active Aging have emerged, aiming to integrate exercise as a fundamental component of health care for seniors.

One such initiative was highlighted during the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging's hearing titled "Lessons from the Field: How Sports Medicine Can Improve Health Outcomes for Seniors" on June 25, 2025. Dr. Lyle Cain Jr., an orthopedic surgeon and team physician at the University of Alabama, emphasized the role of the EIM Active Aging initiative in educating the aging population about exercise benefits, muscle mass improvement, and fall prevention.

To assist therapists in boosting activity among older patients, a Physical Activity (PA) pathway was tested in a 2025 study led by Wingood and colleagues. Over 88% of therapists found the pathway not only doable but helpful, showing that structured guidance can bridge the gap between exercise science and everyday practice.

One practical tool that has been developed to assess physical activity levels is the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) tool. This brief, patient-administered questionnaire can assess physical activity levels within about 30 seconds and is now aligned with efforts by the Physical Activity Alliance and integrated into electronic health record (EHR) systems like EPIC, facilitating broader implementation in routine care.

Recognizing the importance of PA for older adults, Dubai has launched a programme called "Dubai will remain young." The aim is to address the challenges of the aging population in Dubai by maintaining a youthful demographic profile, likely through social and health initiatives focused on seniors. As part of this programme, new clubs will be placed in key areas of Dubai, catering to the city's 11,000 elderly residents.

The initial site for this programme, which opened on May 30, 2023, is the Thukhor Social Club located in Al Safa Park. The club has so far signed up hundreds of members, both male and female, providing a supportive environment for elderly individuals who need assistance in doing physical activity. To ensure the long-term maintenance of PA, the programme aims to enhance the quality of life of seniors by ensuring their inclusion and active involvement in social events through the expansion of the Thukhor Social Club model.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that regular physical activity in older adults reduces the risk of falls, lowers chronic disease burden, and even slashes mortality rates. Therefore, it is crucial to promote and support PA for older adults to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Researcher Catherine Sherrington recommends that to attain a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness, it's necessary "to be physically active for 6 months or longer".

In conclusion, physical activity is a vital aspect of maintaining good health and wellbeing for older adults. Initiatives like the EIM Active Aging and the "Dubai will remain young" programme are important steps towards promoting and supporting PA for seniors. By providing resources like the PAVS tool and creating supportive environments like the Thukhor Social Club, we can help older adults overcome the challenges they face in maintaining PA and reap the numerous benefits it offers.