South Dakota Senior Games on the horizon, encouraging an active lifestyle among older adults

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - If you’re over 50, you might not put your tennis shoes on as swiftly as you used to, but that shouldn’t stop you from partaking in national senior games this week.

Older people are often stereotyped as not being as physically fit as they used to be, and in some cases that might be true, but that shouldn’t stop you from being active. Getting up and moving around, even a little, can be beneficial.

The National Senior Games Association wants to spread that message nationwide and, in doing so, help smash ageist stereotypes.

“It gives people an incentive to get up and move around and actually throw a javelin or do something they maybe haven’t done in a while. Swimming, bicycling, or all of those things are worthwhile activities whether you compete in an event or not,” said South Dakota Senior Games Organization president and participant Curt Pochardt.

The Senior games here in the Black Hills will primarily take place at the Liberty Center YMCA in Box Elder, the Custer YMCA, and the YMCA of Rapid City from June 13 to 16.

The 40th Annual South Dakota State Senior Games will be held in Pierre Aug. 8 through 11 and Sept. 7 to 8 for the softball tournament.

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