​​​​Healthy aging includes staying active and involved in things that you enjoy. By managing your risks of being injured, you can continue to enjoy exercise and sports.

Staying active as you age helps you stay healthy, live longer, feel better, and stay independent. Staying active also helps build strong bones and muscles, which can reduce your risk of falling.

While it's important to stay active for all those reasons, an active lifestyle also involves a certain degree of risk. Use smart risk strategies to reduce your chance of being injured.

Look First

Identify the risks - you can only choose to take smart risk if you know what the risks are. Prepare and plan before the activity so you can make smart choices at the time. If you aren’t sure, check with your health provider about whether or not you should do an activity.

Wear the Gear

Protective equipment like elbow and knee pads, eye protection, mouth guards, and helmets can reduce the risk of injury or decrease how badly you might get hurt. No matter what the activity, wear the proper gear and use the correct equipment.

Get Trained

Training and practice can improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury. Combining different types of training that use different muscle groups can also help prevent injuries.

Stay Sober

Don’t use alcohol or drugs during sports and other recreational activities. Be in control of your mind and body no matter what you are doing.