Dallas, October 4, 2025
News Summary
Dr. Kenneth Cooper, a pioneer in fitness and preventive medicine, has announced the release of his 20th book, ‘Grow Healthier as You Grow Older’. At 94 years old, he continues to promote health and wellness through daily exercise and a busy work schedule at the Cooper Aerobics Center. The book offers practical advice on healthy aging, emphasizing exercise and nutrition as key factors for longevity. Cooper’s influential career spans decades and his contributions to preventive health have had a lasting impact worldwide.
Dallas — Dr. Kenneth Cooper, a pioneer in the fitness and preventive medicine movement, has released his 20th book, titled Grow Healthier as You Grow Older. At 94 years old, Cooper continues to advocate for health and wellness, engaging in daily exercise and maintaining a busy work schedule at the Cooper Aerobics Center.
What happened
The publication of Grow Healthier as You Grow Older marks Dr. Cooper’s 20th book and arrives while he remains actively involved in clinical and public health work. His new book combines autobiography with practical guidance for healthy aging and promotes daily exercise, balanced nutrition, and regular check-ups as fundamental elements for longevity.
Why it matters
Dr. Cooper is widely credited with changing how fitness and preventive health are understood. He coined the term “aerobics” in 1968, and his foundational book, originally published in 1968, has been translated into 41 languages. Over decades he helped shift attention from treatment to prevention, arguing that health systems spend too much on treatments rather than on prevention strategies. The Cooper Institute’s long-term research provides supporting data: the nonprofit institute’s longitudinal study includes over 2.2 million person-years of observation, indicating patients who undergo regular preventive exams live, on average, 10 years longer than the general population.
Key supporting details
Dr. Cooper’s career spans athletics, military service, clinical research and public health advocacy. He was a state champion mile runner, earned a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, and served in the U.S. Air Force where he began researching the effects of aerobic exercise on health. He initially intended to become an ophthalmologist but shifted focus to preventive medicine after his military career.
During his career, he trained the Brazilian National Soccer Team led by Pelé and contributed to their 1970 World Cup victory. In Brazil, aerobic exercise is still referred to as “Coopering”. Cooper also worked with national and global partners to spread preventive health methods, including a current collaboration with Chinese officials to promote preventive healthcare and medical tourism using his methods and name.
At institutional level, Cooper founded The Cooper Institute, Cooper Clinic, and the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, which have become major players in preventive health. He has published more than 700 articles in peer-reviewed journals, lending scientific legitimacy to exercise-based prevention, and his programs have shown measurable impacts on stabilizing obesity rates and improving aerobic capacity among participants.
Programs and partnerships
Cooper has partnered with the NFL to launch the Play 60 initiative, promoting daily physical activity for families. His recent work emphasizes clear, simple guidelines for healthy living: exercise for at least 30 minutes most days, maintain a healthy weight, avoid tobacco, and manage stress. He emphasizes individual responsibility in health, stating that maintaining one’s health is not solely the health care system’s or physician’s responsibility.
Evidence and outcomes
The Cooper Institute’s long-term data are central to Cooper’s preventive message. The nonprofit institute’s longitudinal study includes over 2.2 million person-years of observation. The study’s analysis indicates patients who undergo regular preventive exams live, on average, 10 years longer than the general population. Cooper’s programs also reported measurable improvements in aerobic capacity and contributions to stabilizing obesity rates among program participants.
Background
Cooper coined the term “aerobics” in 1968 at a time when exercise for health faced skepticism. His foundational book, originally published in 1968, has been translated into 41 languages and is regarded as a turning point in promoting exercise as disease prevention. Over the decades, Cooper’s work expanded from clinical research in the Air Force to founding institutes and clinics focused on preventive care and community health.
FAQ
What is the new book Dr. Kenneth Cooper released?
Dr. Kenneth Cooper, a pioneer in the fitness and preventive medicine movement, has released his 20th book, titled Grow Healthier as You Grow Older.
How old is Dr. Cooper and what is his current activity level?
At 94 years old, Cooper continues to advocate for health and wellness, engaging in daily exercise and maintaining a busy work schedule at the Cooper Aerobics Center.
What term did Cooper coin and when?
He coined the term “aerobics” in 1968, changing the way the world understands fitness and preventive health, despite earlier criticism.
What is notable about his foundational 1968 book?
His foundational book, originally published in 1968, has been translated into 41 languages and is considered groundbreaking in promoting exercise as a means of disease prevention.
What large-scale research has Cooper’s institute produced?
The nonprofit institute’s longitudinal study includes over 2.2 million person-years of observation, indicating patients who undergo regular preventive exams live, on average, 10 years longer than the general population.
What partnerships and collaborations has Cooper engaged in?
He is currently collaborating with Chinese officials to promote preventive healthcare and medical tourism using his methods and name. Cooper has partnered with the NFL to launch the Play 60 initiative, promoting daily physical activity for families.
What measurable impacts has Cooper’s recent work shown?
His recent work has demonstrated measurable impacts on stabilizing obesity rates and improving aerobic capacity among participants.
What simple rules does Cooper recommend for health?
He advocates for a healthy lifestyle, encouraging daily exercise, balanced nutrition, and regular check-ups as key elements for longevity.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| New book | Grow Healthier as You Grow Older — Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s 20th book |
| Author age and activity | 94 years old; daily exercise and active work at the Cooper Aerobics Center |
| Historical contribution | Coined the term “aerobics” in 1968; foundational book translated into 41 languages |
| Research scale | Nonprofit institute’s longitudinal study covers over 2.2 million person-years of observation |
| Key outcome | Regular preventive exams linked to living, on average, 10 years longer than the general population |
| Partnerships | Collaboration with Chinese officials and NFL Play 60 initiative |
| Program results | Measured impacts on stabilizing obesity rates and improving aerobic capacity |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- D Magazine: Dr. Kenneth Cooper is the Father of Aerobics
- NBC DFW: Kenneth Cooper’s Plan for Growing Healthier as We Age
- CBS News: Grow Healthier as You Grow Older – Dr. Kenneth Cooper
- Dallas News: Biohacking Your Health – Does it Really Work?
- Wikipedia: Kenneth Cooper
- Google Search: Dr. Kenneth Cooper
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kenneth Cooper
- Google News: Kenneth Cooper
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