A tremendous amount of research that points to the importance of exercise for successful aging is available
today. This project allows you to see if this message is getting out to the public. For this project, investigate the
physical fitness programs available for elderly people in your community. Call or visit the websites of any
senior centers in your area to find out what programs are available. You can also research local gyms to see if
any special programs are available for elderly people. Then, interview four people, one in each of the following
age groups: twenties, forties, sixties, and over-seventies; then ask them the following questions:
How often do you exercise?
What types of exercise do you regularly engage in?
Do you typically exercise alone or with other people?
How long have you been regularly exercising?
How long do you plan to regularly exercise in the future?
Why do you exercise?
After completing the interviews, compare and contrast the answers given by people in the different age groups.
Write a report summarizing your findings and indicating how well the message about the benefits of exercise
for successful aging has been received in your community. Finally, make a proposal for your city government
about improvements in programs/facilities for the elderly to promote physical fitness. Make sure to conduct a
literature review to see what strategies work best.
