Staying physically active and keeping social connections are both healthy practices on their own. But new research from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health suggests each plays a key role in amplifying the other, leading to potentially living a longer, healthier, and happier life. Researchers believe these new findings could pave the way to more cost-effective strategies to combat loneliness, especially among older adults.
According to Tyler Prochnow, assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior in the School of Public Health at Texas A&M and a co-author of the study, the research examined the effect of social connections and physical activity among older adults. Multiple studies showed that social connections actually encourage people to be more physically active.
“They’re inextricably linked,” Tyler explains. “Physical activity promotes social connection, and social connection promotes physical activity. It becomes a virtuous cycle.”
Why Movement is Better Together
Social engagement itself challenges the brain because every interaction requires adaptability and responsiveness. For example, joining a walking group doesn’t just help people stay active, it creates accountability, establishes routines, and encourages conversations and shared experiences, all while supporting physical health.
The same dynamic can happen during a fitness class, recreation leagues, and even regular walk-and-talk routines with a friend or neighbor. It really doesn’t matter what the activity is, as long as you are moving the body while connecting with others. This reinforcing loop keeps people more engaged and challenges the brain and stimulates cognition.
“When we pair that brain exercise with physical exercise, the benefits amplify,” Tyler says.
A Boost for the Brain and Body
Both physical activity and strong social ties have been linked to better cognitive function, improved mental health, and greater independence. When combined, they reinforce one another and may offer better protection against age-related decline.
While all forms of connection are great for us, it’s the relationships that add meaning and purpose that give that added health boost. “Emotional closeness appears to deliver the strongest benefits, particularly for mental health,” Tyler says.
These new finding can offer new strategies for preventing loneliness and social isolation, two factors that lead to a fast track to poor health. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, one in four adults 65 and older is socially isolated.
Rebuilding Connection Later in Life
For Tyler, the research is personal; he witnessed firsthand how life transitions can lead to a disruption in connections.
“My parents recently moved from Wisconsin to Texas to be close to me. That relocation disrupted their long-established social networks, so this research feels really relevant right now,” he says. “We’re actively talking about how to rebuild connection in a new place. Creating community later in life can be challenging, especially when long-term relationships have been built over decades.”
He says rebuilding connection takes deliberate action, shared routines, and structured activities — such as programs like SilverSneakers. Tyler believes communities can benefit by normalizing the idea of forming new relationships later in life, encouraging participation in shared activities and supporting more peer-led engagement.
Healthier and happier aging is more than just moving, but rather who moves with us.
