WATCH: Senior Strut combines fitness with festivity
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) hosted its annual Senior Strut event on Kelly Drive, encouraging older adults to embrace an active lifestyle through fun and social activities. Hundreds gathered for the event, which featured a lively one-mile walk along Boathouse Row, with the Mummers setting a festive tone. Participants, like 71-year-old Marsha Hough, who tracks 10,000 steps a day, joined the walk to boost their physical activity in a joyful, community setting.
The Senior Strut underscores the importance of exercise for healthy aging, with federal health officials noting that most older adults do not get enough physical activity, leading to increased risks of illness, depression, and falls. PCA public relations specialist Bill Conallen explained that the event celebrates the vitality of older Philadelphians and encourages them to stay active. Research highlights that walking is one of the best ways for seniors to maintain fitness and overall health as they age.
For attendees like Elizabeth Richburg-Durand, a breast cancer survivor, participating in regular exercise has become a key part of her health routine. She noted the physical and emotional benefits, saying that being part of the event with fellow older Philadelphians and feeling the shared energy was uplifting. Beyond the walk, the day was filled with dancing, entertainment, and other engaging activities, showing that fitness does not have to be intense to be beneficial. The event also aims to combat loneliness and isolation by bringing older adults together in a supportive, fun environment, helping them embrace healthy aging and joyful moments in their later years.
