To assist prospective class members, encourage greater physical activity, promote inclusivity and to eliminate ageism in physical activity titles, best practice #1 is: Title classes based on ability, not age. For instance, if the class is for beginners, say “Beginner...
In Part 2, I shared results from an informal survey, where the majority of respondents, older adult participants in physical activity classes, experienced instructors’ negative and inaccurate assumptions about older adults’ physical abilities based on their age....
In Part 1, I raised the question of whether age-based titles for fitness classes (“senior”, “elderly”, “silver”, “golden oldies”) contribute to negative assumptions about older adults’ physical abilities based on their age. Or is an age-based title simply indicative...
Research has continually demonstrated that human bodies can gain strength, mobility, cardiovascular capability and endurance throughout our lives including the entire older adult demographic. While individuals may have physical or medical issues limiting or affecting...
This white paper, “It’s About Ability, Not Age: Ending Ageist Assumptions in Physical Activity Programming”, published in the Generations Now Journal by the American Society on Aging in May 2025, was written by a group of seasoned fitness and health...
