Arizona’s Leader in Senior Fitness
ASO Games Announced for 2015
Even though the Arizona Senior Olympics turned 32 years old this year, many people still believe that the game dates change each year.
There is some truth in that assumption, but since the beginning, the ASO annual games have always started on the third weekend in February. Some might ask, “Why the same time every year?”
The answer to that question goes back to the beginning of the games, when the founding steering committee thought that the height of the snowbird season would be perfect for an event that would include the greatest number of seniors living in Arizona.
It was well known, even then, that there were snowbirds (people who come for the winter) and sunbirds (people who leave for the summer). February seemed like the ideal time for those populations. It was also obvious that the weather in February/March was ideal for sports competition.
Although the games were originally one week, they were expanded to three weekends— and the days in between—to make it possible for retirees and those seniors who are still employed to participate.
ASO began as, and remains, an “open” state. Seniors from anywhere can take part as long as they are age 50 by the deadline which, at first, was the first day of the games. That rule was changed last year when, in compliance with NSGA rulings, the age determination was set at Dec. 31 of the games’ year for all sports except track and field, which had to maintain the USATF age determination date of the day of the competition.
The 2015 games will once again begin on the third weekend in February—Feb. 21 through March 8.
For Women Only
Eating three, 3-ounce portions of tuna per day reduces the risk of breast cancer by 14 percent, according to the British Medical Journal.
The Omega 3 fatty acids in fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines are especially effective in preventing the inflammation linked to the dis -
ease. Add some chopped celery to your tuna sandwich and the benefit goes up to 28 percent in the prevention of ovarian cancer because celery is a good source of apigenin, an antioxidant that lessens the free-radical damage that can trigger trouble in the ovaries.
Telling It Like It Is
By Irene Stillwell
In a recent article in AARP The Magazine, some little-known facts were written that might surprise you.
Editor Robert Love said, “People over the age of 50 are 100 million strong” and will “soon control more than 70 percent of the disposable income in this country.” They “buy two thirds of all the new cars, half of all the computers and a third of all movie tickets.”
They “spend $7 billion a year
You Can Do It!
Can Help!
Every week in the ASO office, someone calls to express an interest in “joining” the Arizona Senior Olympics. They are usually people who haven’t been active in a long time and are looking to make a change.
Although Arizona Senior Olympics offers competitions in 32 sports, most of those sports require at least a minimum level of fitness. For that reason, Arizona Senior Olympics often recommends that newcomers become involved in some sort of exercise to prepare them to take part in the sport of their choice.
shopping online” and “more than 80 percent of all the premium travel dollars...”
Love goes on to say, “The population of the 50-plus consumers is projected to grow by 43 percent between now and 2030.”
No doubt about it, seniors are a powerful force in our society, and yet many seniors feel marginalized.
Love’s article points out that the great marketing companies of America have long ignored the
SilverSneakers
health clubs throughout the Valley and state.
Because ASO does not have facilities, these “newbies” need to find a program that offers exercise in a comfortable, friendly setting with instructors who are trained to work with the over-50 population.
SilverSneakers is the oldest and largest program of exercise for seniors in the country. They have responded to a need for a program designed strictly with seniors in mind. The program was designed to fit in with senior health insurance so that there would be no direct cost to the senior. Classes are offered at various community centers, senior centers, YMCAs, and
senior market, with only 5 percent of the dollars spent on advertising directed at them. Why is that? Does it matter? Can anything be done to remedy the obvious image of our aging population?
This, and other pertinent subjects on aging in America, will be a part of a workshop that will be offered by the Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation this fall. Watch for times and locations in the September issue of The Finish Line .
Have a Great Time in
SilverSneakers is a program in which nearly all seniors—at any age—can participate. The classes are flexible to fit all fitness levels and can be done sitting or standing. Instructors are certified and are trained in being able to meet the needs of seniors at every level of fitness, ranging from beginners to those who have been exercising regularly.
It is an ideal program for all seniors, offering exercise and social interaction, which makes the experience healthy and fun.
Here are some of the health insurance plans that feature SilverSneakers as a benefit:
• HUMANA
• AARP MedicareComplete
• AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance
• CareMore Health Plan
• Health Net
• SCAN Health Plan
• United Healthcare Group Retiree
To see all the locations and to learn more about the opportunities to join SilverSneakers, visit www. silversneakers.com.
Come to the 2015 National Senior Games and stay a few days to enjoy all that Bloomington, Minnesota, has to offer.
Here are just a few:
• The Mall of America where you can shop at least 500 stores, eat in more than 50 restaurants or enjoy America’s favorite playground.
• Visit the wonderful Minneapolis Institute of Art where you can see 80,000 items dating to prehistoric times.
• See the Minnesota Sculpture Garden where you will be surrounded by 11 acres of 3D art on beautifully manicured grounds. You can preview all this and more this fall. If you are planning to go to the National Senior Games plan to attend the National Senior Games presentation at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Arizona Senior Olympics office, 4205 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. For reservations, call (602) 274-7742.
Get Ready for Pickleball
Whether it’s played indoors or outdoors, Pickleball is sweeping the nation! Thousands of seniors have discovered the fun and fitness that goes along with this great new sport.
Played on a court about half the size of a tennis court, Pickleball offers a great fitness workout, even from the first day of play. Beginners say it’s an easy game to learn and they can progress to a good playing level in a relatively short length of time. That is not to say that there is not a high level of play. Many seniors started playing as far back as 2000, when it really got going in Arizona. Those players have become proficient, some competing in tournaments with very highlevel players.
Arizona Senior Olympics was instrumental in starting the Pickleball movement in the Grand Canyon State, thanks to Earl Hill and his buddies who approached ASO Executive Director Irene Stillwell with this then-new sport. ASO embraced the sport and began to promote it in The Finish Line , on the website and
ASO Looking for a Few Good Men and Women
Are you a leader? Do you have experience in managing a specific sport? Do you know how the rules and how the competition is conducted? Do you believe that sports are for all ages of people? Would you like to see your sport grow and flourish?
If you can answer “Yes” to these questions, then Arizona Senior Olympics would like you to consider being a sports commissioner or assistant commissioner. ASO is fortunate to have many very dedicated and experienced volunteers in the 32 sports that are offered. However, many things can come up, requiring one of those leaders to move or retire, leaving their sport without the leadership it needs.
ASO is looking for leaders for the following sports: basketball, dance, golf, horseshoes, pickleball, road races and track and field. Volunteer to join the team! Call (602) 274-7742, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday for more information. Ask for Irene.
through the ASO Games. Arizona was the first in the senior games movement to offer the sport.
Pickleball has grown so fast in Arizona that many of the senior communities have built courts to accommodate the demand of their residents. In fact, its popularity is so widespread that it is difficult to find a place for the ASO tournament. However, the City of Surprise created and then enlarged their courts, thanks to its parks and recreation department.
The courts were not available in February and March for the Arizona Senior Olympics, so this year’s pickleball tournament will be held in late October in Surprise. Pickleball players from all over the state and the
nation are welcome to register starting midAugust.
For more information, call the ASO office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at (602) 274-7742.
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