Education, Physical Activity and Healthy Ageing in Italy: Theoretical and Operating Dimensions

Sport and Physical Activity for the aged in Italy represents an area characterized by different interpretations; some like the ‘mature sports clubs’ which give more attention to performance and replication of athletic movement, while others underline communicative, expressive, and health educational components for retirees and older Italians. The chapter focuses on both the formal health education programs in local communities and the fairly extensive presence of a non-formal health programs for older adults which are linked to the initiatives of different local health centers. The chapter will also present examples of institutional action to ensure greater development of physical activity and health promotion for older men and women across Italy.