Americans of all ages are moving more, and a 93‑year‑old matriarch in Smithtown, New York is leading by example.
Cecilia Gomez, now 93, keeps her family in motion: tennis, triathlons, marathons and regular gym sessions. Her daughter, Pat Schneider, says Cecilia “does not believe you should sit down” — a philosophy passed through generations. Gomez works out five days a week and told reporters she “doesn’t like to see people sleeping in a chair… I don’t like it. I love it. It gives you energy, happiness, movement to your body.”
That family culture mirrors a broader trend. A recent study found roughly 80% of Americans — nearly 250 million people — are engaging in more sports, exercise and recreational activity than before, about 25 million more than in 2019. The biggest increases are among young people (ages 15 to 24) and women over 65. Still, experts note a persistent gap: more than 20% of Americans, some 61 million people, remain physically inactive.
Katie Sell, a health professor at Hofstra University, says more people are adopting “lifestyle activities that keep them living longer,” but cautions that a sizeable inactive population endures. Community programs for older adults, like SilverSneakers, spotlight seniors who stay active; Gomez recently won SilverSneakers’ National Inspiration Award, a recognition rooted in sustained participation and enthusiasm.
For the Gomez family, movement is ordinary: they “always keep moving,” Patel Schneider says. Even when some family members sit to watch a match, Gomez’s restlessness pushes others back into motion. Her example underscores how individual habits — and a determined matriarch — can shape family routines and reflect a wider, nationwide shift toward greater physical activity.
