Innovation: Exercise for seniors al fresco
Czech Republic
AAI Domains:
Independent, healthy and secure living (physical exercise, mental well-being)
Participation in society (social connectedness)
Lack of physical exercise is one of the greatest threats to public health across Europe and it is never too early or too late to enable and encourage people to increase their level of physical activity. A lack of physical activity is associated with a host of health conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, some cancers and stroke but they can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes that involve physical exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.
There is a global trend towards outdoor exercise facilities aimed at people of all ages, but particularly targeted at older people that was a legacy of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and increasing research interest of ‘green gyms’ that enable people to exercise in the natural environment.
Administrative district 8 of Prague has a population of just over 21,000 people and features some historic parts of the city. As part of the Healthy Cities programme for the capital there are a range of al fresco exercise activities specifically aimed at older people in order to encourage higher levels of physical activity. In September 2014, a series of four pilot projects aimed at people aged 55 years and above started in municipal parks (Mazurská, Burešova, Invalides and Lehnická) across the district. The socially innovative pilots involved volunteers from local senior centres leading groups of older people through an age and ability appropriate hour long exercise class using the existing green gym equipment.
The aim of the al fresco exercise classes is to increase the mobility, strength and flexibility of participants and also to encourage greater social interaction and connectedness. When the winter weather prevents al fresco exercise then the classes will be moved to indoor gym facilities so that there is a continuation for participants. This innovative pilot builds on the wider work of the Health Cities programme in the district that includes a regular Nordic walking session that includes the option of a cardiac stress test, a free eye examination and a first aid demonstration.
In relation to active ageing, the al fresco exercise classes offer older people with the opportunity to increase their level of physical activity and this is highly likely to improve their health and well-being as they participate and age. A further linked benefit relevant to the active ageing index is the promotion of social connectedness as people who come together for an exercise class will form friendships and social bonds that are also beneficial to health and well-being.