Rock breaks scissors. Scissors cut paper. Paper covers rock.

These are the basic rules for the traditional game “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. The game’s origin may date as back as far as 200 BC, where a game known as Jan-Ken developed in Japan. The popularity of the game is easily understood. It requires no special equipment to play and involves skill and intuition. It’s a game we all remember from childhood, but some adults take it seriously and there is even a World RPS Society.

64-year-old retiree, Ray Scott, doesn’t think that Rock, Paper, Scissors is just for kids. Ray won the state title of RPS Champion in New Hampshire after advancing through eight rounds played at Manchester bars and pubs. Next month, Scott heads to Las Vegas to compete in the national Rock, Paper, Scissors competition.

Playing this school yard game could pay off in a big way for Ray. The grand prize is $50,000. The national competition will be held in Las Vegas and broadcast on ESPN.

Manchester Retiree an Ace at His Game

The results of a study conducted at the University of Queensland, Australia show that for women in their 70s, the key to avoiding the pain and limitations of arthritis is to keep moving.

The study involed both middle-aged and older women. It was found that for older women, an hour of moderate physical exercise per week lessened chances of developing arthritis symptoms and that 2½ hours of physical activity is even more effective at keeping arthritis symptoms at bay.

These results were seen only in the older (72-79) group. Women in middle age (48-55) did not experience the same benefit.

Just Keep Moving, Ladies

According to a study of 947 adults aged 30 to 91, it was found that older adults preferred exercising with people in their own age group to working out with younger adults.

Exercising with peers increased with older adults’ interest in exercise itself, and exercising in groups of adults their own age was more appealing than exercising alone.

Working out has both physical and emotional benefits for all adults, but for older adults it is vital to stay healthy and mobile. Finding the appropriate group setting for regular exercise can help keep seniors motivated and moving.

The study appears in the April issue of Annals of Behavioral Science and was authored by Mark Beauchamp, Ph.D.

Do you sometimes wonder what to do with your spare time now that you have retired? Tricia Wagner and Barbara Day have written a book entitled How To Enjoy Your Retirement that is definitely worth checking out.

They cover an enormous amount of original and interesting ideas, some of which are bound to interest you. Here are just a few samples of the kind of activity you could get involved in:

- Learn to play the harmonica

- Start your own business

- Take a long trip on a train

- Adopt a highway or a Native American Grandparent

You can have a look at the book and read an exerpt by going to Amazon dot com. At only $11.01, it has to be a good buy.