Physical activity is an extremely important factor in preserving general health and adequate functional abilities of all people, especially middle-aged and elderly people. The aim of this work was to determine the benefits of exercise in middle-aged and elderly people and whether there are any risks in people who actively engage in physical exercise in the mentioned age groups. Also based on data from previous research, differences in gender, sociodemographic indicators, perception of personal satisfaction and functional abilities (self-care and household maintenance) were analyzed between middle-aged and elderly people who regularly engage in recreational physical activities and those who do not. People involved in recreational physical activities are more often female and of a higher educational status, while researches have not shown differences in the economic status of respondents, since a large number of recommended and common physical activities for middle-aged and elderly people do not require special equipment or other resources that would require additional costs. Involved in recreational physical activities, they express greater satisfaction with life and, according to their own statements, have better functional abilities. Taking into account the above indicators, it can be pointed out that this paper confirms the importance of exercise for middle-aged and older people, although it also points to potential risks that may arise from the characteristics of the people themselves who engage in recreational activities or be an objective consequence of the aging process and its impact on general health condition and potential comorbidities, as well as the weather and other conditions when performing recreational physical activities.