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Exercise and physical activity | National Institute on Aging
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class="view-header"> <div class="content_inset clearfix"> <h1 class="page-title node-title"> Exercise and physical activity </h1> </div> <div class="content description-inner"> <div class="intro"> <p>Physical activity is an important part of healthy aging. Check out these articles for the latest on how exercise and physical activity can help you stay healthy as you age. Find tips on how to fit exercise into your daily life safely and get motivated to get moving!</p> <hr> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="32551" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/5-tips-help-you-stay-motivated-exercise" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/5-tips-help-you-stay-motivated-exercise" rel="bookmark">5 Tips to Help You Stay Motivated to Exercise</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">View an infographic on ways to stay motivated to exercise and be active as you age.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2022-03/five-tips-exercise-motivation_0.jpg?itok=NyTMqFld" alt="5 Tips to Help You Stay Motivated to Exercise infographic thumbnail. Click through for full transcript." typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="31361" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/exercise-and-physical-activity-worksheets" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/exercise-and-physical-activity-worksheets" rel="bookmark">Exercise and Physical Activity Worksheets</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Keeping track of your progress is a great way to stay motivated to exercise. Use these tracking tools to help stick to your exercise routine.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2024-05/older-adults-exercise-worksheets.png?itok=3Fqpx9ot" alt="Older adult couple stretching " typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="31332" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/exercising-chronic-conditions" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/exercising-chronic-conditions" rel="bookmark">Exercising With Chronic Conditions</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">You can still exercise if you have diabetes, arthritis, or another health condition. Talk with your doctor about how your health condition might affect your ability to be active.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2020-03/pic3-compressor.jpg?itok=LhEOUjkr" alt="Two people jogging" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="31336" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/finding-right-fitness-shoes-and-clothes" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/finding-right-fitness-shoes-and-clothes" rel="bookmark">Finding the Right Fitness Shoes and Clothes</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Wear the right gear for physical activity to improve both performance and pleasure. Follow these tips for selecting shoes and other fitness clothing.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2020-03/shoes-compressor_1.jpg?itok=b43rDjHo" alt="Older man tying his running shoe" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="31338" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/four-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/four-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical" rel="bookmark">Four Types of Exercise Can Improve Your Health and Physical Ability</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">What four types of exercise should you do as you grow older? Try endurance, flexibility, strength, and balance activities to stay independent for longer.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2020-03/4types-compressor.jpg?itok=zKGtjZYs" alt="Older man lifting weights" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="34389" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/four-types-exercise-and-physical-activity" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/four-types-exercise-and-physical-activity" rel="bookmark">Four Types of Exercise and Physical Activity</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">View an infographic on the four types of exercise and their benefits.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2023-02/exercise-four-types-nia.png?itok=eNIn4v7F" alt="The Four Types of Exercise and Physical Activity infographic. Click to open infographic page." typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="31334" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/fun-ways-older-adults-stay-physically-active" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/fun-ways-older-adults-stay-physically-active" rel="bookmark">Fun Ways for Older Adults to Stay Physically Active</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Being physically active with your family is a great way to stay healthy. Find ways to stay active in all 4 seasons.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2020-03/pic4-compressor.jpg?itok=iq8VQK9t" alt="Family playing soccer" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="31335" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/how-older-adults-can-get-started-exercise" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/how-older-adults-can-get-started-exercise" rel="bookmark">How Older Adults Can Get Started With Exercise</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">Find tips on how to get started with exercise and physical activity, including setting fitness goals and creating an activity log.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2020-03/starting-compressor.jpg?itok=942isQDR" alt="Road with the word start and an arrow painted on the road." typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="31341" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/real-life-benefits-exercise-and-physical-activity" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/real-life-benefits-exercise-and-physical-activity" rel="bookmark">Real-Life Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">No matter your health and physical abilities, you can gain a lot by staying active. Learn about the many benefits of being physically active.</div> </div> <div class="topical_image col-4-right"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2020-03/iStock-867416198-400x267-compressor.jpg?itok=5j3W2kp1" alt="Grandmother and her grandchild playing with leaves" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"><article data-history-node-id="31337" about="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/safety-tips-exercising-outdoors-older-adults" typeof="schema:Article" class="feature_item topical_item teaser col-12-full"> <div class="topical_text col-8-left"> <h2 class="feature-title"> <a href="/health/exercise-and-physical-activity/safety-tips-exercising-outdoors-older-adults" rel="bookmark">Safety Tips for Exercising Outdoors for Older Adults</a> </h2> <div class="feature-summary">It's important to make sure that you can exercise outdoors safely. 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