The global population is aging rapidly, with a substantial rise in the proportion of older adults worldwide. Promoting healthy aging has become a critical public health priority, as aging is often accompanied by physical decline, increased risk of frailty, cognitive impairment, and chronic disease. Physical activity remains one of the most potent, low-cost, and accessible forms of “medicine” to support functional independence, prevent disease progression, and enhance both the physical and mental well-being of older adults.

Recent evidence indicates that structured exercise interventions can effectively mitigate age-related functional decline, delay the onset of frailty, and improve overall quality of life. Additionally, integrating physical activity into daily routines, leveraging wearable technologies to monitor movement, and implementing community-based programs provide innovative strategies to sustain engagement in later life.

This Research Topic also addresses the interplay between physical activity and cognitive health, as emerging studies highlight its potential role in reducing the risk of dementia and depression in older populations. In addition, multimodal interventions that combine exercise with nutrition, psychosocial support, or digital health innovations represent promising approaches for holistic healthy aging.

This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of how physical activity and structured exercise support healthy aging, both biologically and socially. Specifically, it seeks to address key challenges in developing physical activity guidelines to maintain independence and improve quality of life in older adults. We also welcome research directions that extend beyond established guidance on physical exercise, but to create novel insights and expand the evidence base on this subject. By integrating perspectives from exercise science, geriatric medicine, public health, rehabilitation sciences, and behavioral sciences, this Research Topic provides a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to health promotion in aging populations.

We welcome Original Research, Clinical Trials, Reviews and Systematic Reviews, and Perspectives on topics including, but not limited to:
● Physical activity for frailty and fall prevention, focusing on strategies that sustain independence and daily functioning
● Technology-enabled physical activity, such as wearable sensors, tele-exercise platforms, and digital health applications for adherence and personalization
● Barriers and facilitators (e.g., implementation science) of physical activity initiation and adherence
● How does physical activity modify markers of biological age (e.g., epigenetic clocks, SASP, or other at the organismal scale)
● Exercise interventions for improving physical fitness in older adults with chronic diseases
● Cognitive and psychological benefits of exercise, including dementia risk reduction, resilience, and mental well-being

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Focus on Physical Activity and Healthy Aging