St. Charles County Golden Games Began 17 Years Ago
The St. Charles County Golden Games began 17 years ago (1987) with the purpose of promoting healthy lifestyles for seniors (50 years and older) through education, fitness and sports.
The 1987 games included thirty athletic and eleven non-athletic events with the goal to eventually become affiliated with the National Senior Games Association (Senior Olympics). Over the years, at the request of participants, the number of events have increased and become more competitive.
The 2005 St. Charles Golden Games are scheduled to be held April 26 – 30, at twenty different sites and will feature fifty seven events compared to the original forty one.
There are six regional games within Missouri; the St. Charles County Golden Games are the second largest.
All events are open competition and divided into age groups of five year increments, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, etc. This allows equitable competition. Gold, Silver and Bronze medallions are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in all events.
The registration fee for individuals to participate in the Golden Games is $22 with no limit to the number of events. There are additional fees for those participating in the golf competition and the post game dinner. The softball team entry fee is $160; T-shirts are not included in this fee.
All individual participants of the St. Charles County Golden Games receive a T-shirt and are entitled to participate in the Missouri State Senior Games to be held June 23 – 26 in Columbia, Missouri. First and second place winners at the 2006 Missouri State Games will qualify to represent the State of Missouri at the 2007 National Senior Games to be held in Louisville, Kentucky.
The St. Charles County Golden Games emphasize the importance of staying fit 365 days of the year. Studies have proven, improved physical fitness leads to healthier lifestyles and the reduction of illness and disease. Therefore reducing medical costs and increasing the quality of life.
Getting Past the Barriers
Many older adults are reluctant to start exercising even though they know that it’s one of the healthiest things they can do. The reasons vary; some older people are afraid physical activity will harm them; others might think they have to join a gym or have special equipment and are concerned they won’t be able to afford it. Still others may feel embarrassed to exercise because they think it’s for younger people who look great in gym clothes.
The fact is just about every older adult can safely do some form of physical activity at little or no cost. You don’t have to exercise in a public place or use expensive equipment.
Our society protects older people from doing physical tasks. This mindset has led to poor health and disability for millions. Studies show that, in the long term, older adults in all age groups hurt their health far more by not exercising than by exercising. Let’s get rid of the old mindset and start a new one!
What kinds of activities improve health and ability?
Endurance Exercises – are activities that increase your breathing and heart rate. They improve the health of your heart, lungs and circulatory system.
Strength Exercises – build your muscles, but they do more than just make you stronger. They may improve your independence by giving you more strength to do things on your own. They also increase your metabolism, helping to keep your weight and blood sugar in check.
Balance Exercises – help prevent a common problem in older adults … falls. Some balance exercises build up your leg muscles; others improve your balance by requiring you do simple activities like briefly standing on one leg.
Flexibility Exercises – are stretching exercises. They help keep your body limber by stretching your muscles and the tissues that hold your body’s structures in place. Flexibility also may play a part in prevent falls.
The success of the St. Charles Golden Games is the result of many volunteers who serve as Directors, Ambassadors, Event Coordinators, Timers, First Aid Assistants and many others doing a lot of small jobs, many loyal sponsors, local sports facilities and of course the many participants.
