Joon Faii Ong on Whether Seniors Can or Can’t Play Basketball
Can seniors still play basketball? Yes! Contrary to popular belief, basketball has no age limits. It doesn’t matter whether you last stepped on the court five decades ago–you can still shoot hoops.
However, senior players can’t follow the same routine as younger adults. Stiff joints, muscle rigidity, and inflammation, among other symptoms of mobility impairment, make it challenging to move. Some seniors can’t even walk a few flights of stairs anymore.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, there is no need to worry. Joon Faii Ong shares some helpful tips for seniors planning to play basketball again.
Go Jogging
Sprinting a full-sized basketball court right off the bat might be impractical, so start off with mild, low-impact cardio training. Jog a few rounds around your neighborhood first to regain your endurance.
Eat Healthy Foods
Joon Faii Ong encourages older adults to follow a healthier diet plan before playing basketball again. It’s a very demanding sport. Your body will need sufficient vitamins and minerals, or it will have trouble recovering after intensive games.
Stop Smoking
The NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA) debunks the myth that seniors have no motivation to quit smoking. Even if you stop smoking cigarettes late in life, you’ll still yield significant benefits like lower blood pressure levels, healthier lungs, and better cardiovascular endurance — which are crucial in sports.
Stretch Every Day
Work on your flexibility. Basketball involves a lot of abrupt movements like sprinting and jumping, which might be challenging for older adults with stiff, rigid joints. Do at least 10 minutes of stretching in the morning and the evening.
Bottom Line
Basketball has no age limit. Joon Faii Ong stresses that proper dieting and body conditioning will help you get your body back in shape for playing ball.
Of course, you likely will not want to go head-to-head with younger players. However, a fit, healthy physique makes it easier to shoot long shots, sprint across the court, and even steal the ball from your opponents.
