Video: 6 ways to stay active without injury as you age By Mayo Clinic Staff Share Facebook Twitter Print details Injuries can be more prevalent with age — but there's a lot you can do to prevent them. Think you know what to do? You might be surprised to learn how experts' recommendations have shifted over the years. For example, warming up is still essential to performing at your best and minimizing injury risk, but stretching isn't the best way. Watch to learn what you should be doing instead of reaching for your toes to get your body ready for exercise, plus five more ways that you can make your body more resilient even as you grow older. Show transcript 6 ways to stay active without injury as you age Don't skimp on your warmup. Squats, lunges, and leg swings and arm swings increase your range of motion. Go for quality, not quantity. Pick 2 days a week to push yourself, and go easy in between. Focus on function. Exercise with the movements you use in your sport. Ask a pro to check your form. Get in balance. Falling is a risk even for active adults. Consider yoga, tai chi or Pilates. Keep building strength. Combining strength with aerobic training helps slow muscle loss and protect joints. Get regular physicals. Exercise cuts heart disease risk by a third. But you still need your screenings. Guidance from the doctors, physical therapists, trainers and performance coaches at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine. Get more healthy-action tips delivered daily when you download the Mayo Clinic app. Show references Brun SP. Clinical considerations for the ageing athlete. Australian Family Physician. 2016;45:478. Gothe NP, et al. Yoga is as good as stretching-strengthening exercises in improving functional fitness outcomes: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Journals of Gerontology Biological Sciences and Medical Science. 2016;71:406. Wright VJ. Masterful care of the aging triathlete. Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review. 2012;20:231. Tayrose GA, et al. The masters athlete: A review of current exercise and treatment recommendations. Sports Health. 2015;7:270. VID-20305513