Many team sports are senior-friendly, and there are plenty of adapted versions to suit people with mobility issues or health conditions. Below, we'll reveal four fun team sports with proven benefits for older adults.

1. Golf

A round of golf is an enjoyable and relaxing way to spend a sunny afternoon in Springfield, MO, but its potential health benefits are often overlooked. As a low-impact, joint-friendly sport that helps build muscle strength and stamina, many people tout golf as the perfect pastime for seniors who want to care for their physical and mental well-being. However, a ground-breaking 2022 study determined that golf offers more benefits for seniors than certain higher-impact physical activities.

Researchers compared the effects of golf against regular walking and Nordic walking, a type of intense long-distance walking requiring poles. Golf lowered blood pressure and lipid profiles more in older golfers than the other types of exercise used in the study. Participants walked between holes, so playing golf and walking between holes is likely more beneficial than using a golf cart to get around. If you usually use a cart and want to improve your fitness, you can consider gradually increasing how much you walk to improve stamina and cardiovascular health.

While many people play golf individually, team golf may be more enjoyable and social for older adults and their loved ones. You could consider forming a team with friends at The Gardens assisted living community or challenging your family to a game. Springfield is home to a broad range of golf facilities, from public courses to private clubs, offering plenty of venues for organizing a friendly golf extravaganza.

2. Pickleball

Don't let its cute moniker fool you — pickleball is enjoying a serious boost in popularity, with at least 3% of Americans playing pickleball each year. While the game most closely resembles tennis, a lighter ball and smaller pitch make it easier on the joints while providing an excellent cardiovascular workout. The rules are also straightforward to learn, letting you dive into your new hobby without expensive coaching.

You can play pickleball as a single player or a doubles team, and both versions of the game can help older adults enjoy the benefits of increased physical activity. According to a 2023 study, adults aged 65 and over who play pickleball averaged more steps and lived less sedentary lifestyles than their non-pickleball-playing peers. Participating regularly can also help decrease chronic pain and improve physical coordination.

However, pickleball doesn't just provide a workout for your body. Playing pickleball can help slow cognitive decline and support good mental health. A 2023 review of the literature on pickleball and mental health determined that players enjoy increased life satisfaction and emotional well-being and are less likely to develop depression.

3. Walking Soccer

Soccer can help older adults improve their cardiovascular health and functional skills, but it isn't the best team sport for every senior. It's a highly physical game that often leads to soccer-related injuries, such as sprains and collisions. Furthermore, you may find participating in regular soccer more challenging and tiring as you age, especially if you have a preexisting health condition such as arthritis.

Enter walking soccer, a modified version of a beloved sport that lets players enjoy increased physical activity and social interactions while — you guessed it — walking. While the game is better known in the United Kingdom, its familiar format makes it an easy hobby to start in your assisted living community. All you need is a soccer ball, markers to use as goalposts and some enthusiastic participants to play your first game.

The benefits of walking soccer for seniors need further research, but a recent study shows it provides a fun, medium-intensity workout that may support enjoyable social interactions. While it may not provide the same improvements as high-intensity exercise in terms of blood sugar and lipid levels, researchers say it could be an excellent option for people with preexisting conditions who want to increase their activity levels gradually.

4. Croquet

If you automatically associate croquet with the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, it could be time to challenge your perceptions. Croquet is a low-impact, enjoyable team sport (with zero beheadings) played in teams of two to four people. Players use mallets to knock balls through hoops on the croquet lawn while enjoying plenty of time to socialize with others, making it popular with people of all ages.

While croquet is gentle and pleasant to play, it's also a healthy choice for older adults who want to stay active and build bonds in their assisted living communities. Golf croquet, the most popular version of the sport, requires both strategic and physical skills that can help boost cognitive function and coordination.

‍