“It made me feel young again”: Older adults’ perceptions of a physical activity intervention delivered at activity centres in Copenhagen

Copenhagen municipal senior services have undergone considerable changes over recent years. Activity centres (ACs) offer social and physical activities for Copenhageners 65+ with the unique characteristic that the seniors have shared ownership. ACs therefore represent a unique setting for the promotion of active lifestyles. Physical activity in old age is often confined to traditional senior gymnastics in Denmark, whereas the experiences and effect of participating in group activities remains unexplored amongst older adults. This paper presents results from an interdisciplinary study conducted at three ACs, where 34 men and women participated in a 12 week programme in which either traditional strength training in groups or team sports were offered three times weekly. The two training programmes were evaluated in terms of feasibility and adherence to the activity programme. Additionally, the participants’ embodied experiences were investigated in relation to their sense of well-being, health and social relationships. In total, 16 participants and 6 staff members completed semi-structured interviews across the three ACs post-intervention. A number of key themes emerged. In contrast to participants’ normal use of the ACs as rehabilitation facilities, participants associated the programme with feelings of empowerment, a sense of belonging and the establishment of new relationships. Motivations differed between groups, however; the strength training group valued health promoting benefits, whereas those engaged in team sport put an emphasis on fun and enjoyment, physical and social interaction and the feelings of re-discovering youth. The ACs were found to be suitable locations for the promotion of such activities where suitable facilities and engaged staff are present. On the other hand, organisational structures differ between ACs, leading to increased attrition when staff were less engaged, or support was limited due to limited staff availability.