Useful Physical Activity and Aging Links
The First Step to Active Health
www.FirstStepToActiveHealth.com
International Society for Aging and Physical Activity (ISAPA)
http://www.isapa.org
The Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
http://www.hkusa.com/products/journals/journal.cfm?id=JAPA
American College of Sports Medicine
P.O. Box 1440
Indianapolis, IN 46206
http://www.acsm.org
ACSM Position Stand on Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults
http://www.wwilkins.com/MSSE/0195-91316-98p992.html
United States Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/sgr.htm
National Institute on Aging
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5C27
31 Center Drive, MSC 2292
Bethesda, MD 20892-2292
Information Center: Toll Free Phone: 800-222-2225
http://www.nih.gov/nia
Exercise: A Guide From the National Institute on Aging http://weboflife.arc.nasa.gov/exerciseandaging/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/hpo/
Fitness and Active Living - Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/fitness/index.html
United Nations - 1999 International Year of Older Persons
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/iyop/
Other Aging Links
The following nonprofit organizations offer exercise programs for older adults or information about such programs. Most offer literature about exercise. Usually, single copies of pamphlets are free, but most organizations charge for bulk orders. If you have any doubts, check with your doctor to ensure that the exercises offered are suitable for you.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
P.O. Box 1998
Des Plaines, IL 60017
Phone: 1-800-824-BONES
Internet: http://www.aaos.org
Professional association of surgeons who care for the body's musculoskeletal system. Ask for free publications about how to safely do exercises like walking or stretching if you have arthritis, osteoporosis, or other musculoskeletal conditions, or if you have had a joint replacement.
American Diabetes Association
1660 Duke St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703)549-1500
Internet: http://www.diabetes.org
Offers free pamphlets about exercise for people of all ages who have diabetes. Request "Exercise and Diabetes," "Starting to Exercise," and "20 Steps to Safe Exercise."
American Heart Association
National Center
7272 Greenville, Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231-4596
Internet: http://www.Americanheart.org
Offers free pamphlets about exercise for people of all ages.
American Physical Therapy Association
111 North Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
Internet: http://www.apta.org
Request "For the Young at Heart" (free exercise brochure).
Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357-0669
Phone: 1-800-283-7800
Internet: http://www.arthritis.org
Free pamphlet provides guidelines on how to protect joints during exercise; includes range-of motion exercises for joint mobility, and others.
The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research
12330 Preston Road
Dallas, TX 75243
Internet: http://www.cooperinst.org
Provides information about physical activity and other health topics.
Disables Sports USA
451 Hungerford Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (301) 217-0960, then
press "3" when asked for selection
Internet: http://www.dswa.org//~dsusa/dsusa.html
Provides free pamphlets about exercises for older adults and others with disabilities. Examples include wheelchair or armchair exercises for paraplegics and others; exercises for people with limited range of motion; and endurance activities for amputees, with focus on correct balancing. Videotapes also available for price of tape plus shipping and handling.
50-Plus Fitness Association
P.O. Box D
Stanford, CA 94309
Phone: (650) 323-6160
Internet: http://www.50plus.org
Nonprofit organization that promotes fitness and active lifestyles for people 50 and older through a variety of activities, including walks, fitness events, seminars, and newsletters. Membership costs $35.00 a year (people of any age may join). Provides information for people interested in starting a 50-Plus chapter in their locale. Videos and books on fitness for older people also available, costs vary.
Jewish Community Centers
(also appears as Young Men's Hebrew Association or Young Women's Hebrew Association
Check phone book for local listing; if unable to find, call national headquarters
at the phone number below.
Phone: (212) 532-4949
Internet: http://www.jcca.org
Services differ from location to location; most offer a variety of exercise and physical activity programs for older adults. All denominations welcome.
Mature Fitness Awards USA
621 East Park Ave.
Liberty ville, IL 60048
Offers 25 activities for older adults, from beginning exercisers to long-time fitness enthusiasts; many of the activities are appropriate for (or can be adapted for) disabled participants. Adults age 50 and older who engage in regular physical activity may receive awards through this program. Write for a registration form and activity log.
National Association of Governor's Councils on Physical Fitness
Pan American Plaza
201 S. Capitol Avenue, Suite 560
Indianapolis, IN 46225
Phone: (317)237-5630
Internet: http://www.fitnesslink.com/Govcouncil/
Sponsors physical-fitness events for older adults; these events vary by state. Ask for address and phone number of your state's association.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
NHLBI Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Phone: (301) 251-1222
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/nhlbi.htm
Part of the National Institutes of Health. Offers free publications, on exercise, diet, and cholesterol.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse/NIAMS
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
Phone: (301) 495-4484
Internet: http://www.nih.gov/niams/healthinfo/
Part of the National Institutes of Health. Provides free information about exercise and arthritis; large print available on request.
National Osteoporosis Foundation
1150 17th St. N.W., Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202)223-2226
Internet: http://www.nof.org
Voluntary organization that promotes study and treatment of osteoporosis. Call to request free copy of "The Role of Exercise in the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis," Guidelines for Safe Movement," and "Fall Prevention."
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
DHHS/OS/OPHS
200 Independence Ave., SW
HHH Bldg.
Room 738 H
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: (202) 690-9000
Internet: http://www.os.dhhs.gov
Provides "Pep Up Your Life," a free exercise booklet for older adults, in partnership with the American Association of Retired Persons.
United States Department of Agriculture
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
1120 20th St., NW
Suite 200 North Lobby
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202)418-2312
Internet: http://www.usda.gov/fcs/cnpp.htm
Call or write to receive free booklet about nutrition for older adults. To see an explanation of the food guide pyramid on the Internet, visit the website and choose "food guide pyramid," then choose "interactive food guide pyramid." The website also offers large-print version of food guide pyramid.