The moment has come for Veterans to prepare for this year's long-awaited Golden Age Games. Veterans from all around the nation will come together to participate in the most extensive adaptive rehabilitative senior sports program in the world. If you're a Veteran 55 years of age or older, you're going to want to stick around to hear what this program is doing to help you and your fellow Veterans and what they have to offer. Related read:Team Red, White, and Blue Helps Veterans Prioritize Health & Wellbeing

Golden Age Games: Veterans Gaming Like No Other

The National Veterans Golden Age Games (NVGAG) was founded in 1985 for Veterans 55 years old and older. It is the leading adaptive rehabilitation program in the U.S. and the only national multi-event sports and recreational competition program for older Veterans with abilities and disabilities. The VA Golden Age Games wants older Veterans to foster its "Fitness for Life" motto, highlighting the importance of sports and physical activity to bring about a healthy lifestyle. The VA understands Veterans, and research conducted by them proves that physical activity is distinctively essential to older Veterans' health and overall quality of life. The NVGAG is designed to encourage friendly competition and physical activity to engage Veterans' bodies and minds. It gives older Veterans a chance to build new relationships with people who share things in common with them. Furthermore, it is inclusive and allows for a wide range of people with disabilities to participate and get active. The true purpose of this program is to showcase the preventative and therapeutic value of sports and physical activity, the importance of fitness to physical and mental health, and the role of recreation in overall wellness. There are plenty of opportunities for Veterans with disabilities to participate. There are a total of eight age categories and three divisions – ambulatory, visually impaired, and wheelchair – to keep everything fair. By joining the fun and participating in the Golden Age Games, Veterans will enhance their overall quality of life while making memories they will have for the rest of their lives. Here are the eight different age classifications:

• 55-59
• 60-64
• 65-69
• 70-74
• 75-79
• 80-84
• 85-89
• 90+

What Activities Will There Be?

This year, the Golden Age Games 2022 will be held in Sioux Falls, SD, from July 18-23. Last year, the Golden Age Games were held in Sanford, home of the Nation's Oldest Senior Games. With over fifteen sports options to choose from, every Veteran will have a game to play, giving everyone a chance to participate in the action. Activities include:

• Blind disc golf
• Air rifle and air pistol
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Cycling
• Dominoes
• Golf
• Horseshoes
• Pickleball
• Swimming
• Tennis

Athletes planning to participate must have a primary care physician sign a Medical Clearance Form before they take part in any Veteran games.

Benefits of the National Veterans Golden Age Games

The National Veterans Golden Age Games promote a healthy lifestyle among older Veterans by encouraging them to participate in physical activities. There are numerous reasons and advantages to regular physical activity for older Veterans. Some of these include:

• Improved stamina and muscle strength.
• The preservation of healthy muscles, bones, and joints.
• The management of arthritis-related joint pain and swelling.
• Improved mood and reduction of depression and anxiety.
• Decreased chance of high blood pressure, diabetes, colon cancer, and coronary heart disease.

Exercise and physical activity are proven to be helpful, especially for those with post-traumatic stress disorder, which disproportionately affects Veterans. By joining the Golden Age Games, Veterans can get involved, get active, and get healthy. The Games is an excellent event that ensures older Veterans can participate in programs that promote their well-being and health. The Games provides a positive recreational outlet that prompts older Veterans to connect with others and lead a healthy lifestyle. It gives members a purpose to get up and train for their next competition and provides Veterans with something to look forward to every year. Whether you think you are too old to participate or don't meet the physical demands of other sports, the Golden Age Games ensures you have an opportunity to work on your well-being and overall health. For additional information about the National Veterans Golden Age Games, click here. More like this:11 Relaxing Activities for Veterans