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Jerry Aronson, MD, FAAP and Susan Aronson, MD, FAAP

• Best Practices Statement on Physical Activity Programs and Behavior Counseling in Older Adult Populations - The American College of Sports Medicine - 2004: Multidimensional activity that includes endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training is optimal for health and functional activities.
• How Fit Are You?  - a 13 item questionnaire from the CDC to assess initial fitness and track progress over time. Print out and monitor your progress in fitness activities.
• 30 Tips on how older adults can become more active from the International Council on Active Aging Seniors
• General Resources:
• National Institute of Aging Exercise Guide - 88 page illustrated booklet complete with flow charts to monitor progress over time. Free, or order with companion DVD or Video ($7).  
• Strength Training for Older Adults - Growing Stronger from the CDC and Tufts University. A 126 page illustrated pamphlet with questionnaires, and S-M-A-R-T strategies (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Based) to motivate you to start and maintain your strength training journey and monitor your progress. Activities are designed to: i) build strength, ii) maintain bone density, III) improve balance, coordination and mobility, iv) reduce the risk of falling, and v) maintain independence in daily life.
• 2008 Federal Physical Activity Guidelines (11/08) - all ages. Click Here to note special physical activity caveats for older adults.
• Specific Exercise Strategies
• Physical Activity vs. Intensity - Guidelines to types of moderate versus vigorous activities in accordance with the CDC and American College of Sports Medicine
• 5 Easy Steps to Beginning Strength Exercises - from the Active Aging Partnership of the American College of Sports Medicine.
• Strenthening Exercises for Older Adults - the CARES (Clinical and Rehabilitation Exercise System) from the makers of Thera-Band products. Illustrated sets of Upper Body and Lower Body strengthening exercises for older adults.
• Strengthening Exercises for Older Adults from the CDC
• 5 Easy Steps to Begin Endurance Exercise - from the American College of Sport's Medicine Health Initiative on Aging
• Balance, Stretching and Weight Training from the Mayo Clinic
• How to select an age-friendly personal fitness trainer - Questions to ask and Answers to look for! from the International Council on Active Aging summarized in a Personal Trainer Checklist.
• How to select an age-friendly fitness facility - a comprehensive checklist on staff, facility and operations, equipment, programming with specific questions about age-friendly features from the International Council on Active Aging.
• Step Up to Better Health - a comprehensive on-line program from AARP that promotes walking. Monitor daily steps against "mock trails", read articles about walking, link to popular walking websites, and maintain your motivation to use walking as part of your exercise program.