Outdoor physical activities for people over 65 years old: an educational and social project

Aim In old age, to minimize reductions in strength and aerobic capacity and counteract the effects of aging that can compromise health statuses, preventive measures must be taken that lead to healthier lifestyle. This paper describes an educational and social project carried out in Italy, the aim of which was to recruit sedentary individuals aged ≥65 years to participate in organized motor activities. This paper describes an educational and social project carried out in Italy, the aim of which was to recruit sedentary individuals aged ≥65 years to participate in organized motor activities. Methods: The project involved the organization of a series of free motor activities in the city allocated to different times of day during the summer season. The local municipality was involved to ensure the effective communication of the initiative to the public. All the teachers recruited onto the initiative underwent a period of training in adapted motor activities prior to their participation. Results: The project was started in 2006 and has now been running uninterruptedly for 15 years. It has gone from 165 attendances registered in the first year to 3652 attendances in 2020. Discussion; The participation in recreational activities is subject to mobility and the possibility of accessing opportunities present in the area, overcoming the barriers present in the environment or the fear of moving in the environment. Conclusions: The potential benefits deriving from physical activities—provided for free to maximize participation—are of significant social and health value. The project started fifteen years ago, and could be expanded further by collaborating with other initiatives provided by other networks and other local or national projects.