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As life expectancy increases, many people become more inactive. Older adults and people with disabilities could therefore benefit from accessible physical activity in neighbourhood social networks. The InAbled Cities Project aims to test the development of a program to promote physical activity for older adults and people with disabilities in Spain and Italy. Authors (from IQ Health and others) have recently published a paper on the subject, appearing in Human Kinetics Journals.
Participatory action research was conducted in two municipalities in urban (Bologna, Italy) and rural (Sevilla La Nueva, Spain) settings with older adults and people with disabilities, healthcare professionals, and communication managers.
Data collection comprised a survey, interviews, and focus group interviews for developing a physical activity enhancement program, a mobile device application, and a citizen engagement strategy. Evaluation of the program’s usability focused on feasibility, appropriateness, acceptability, and quality of life.
The enhancement of physical activity in the two community-based settings revealed similarities and differences in the needs of citizens in the two participating municipalities. Similarities were related to behavioural change for enhancing physical activity. Differences in infrastructure were the main factors driving the need for contextual adaptations.
Overall, participants were positive about the appropriateness, feasibility, and acceptability of the program. Participants deemed the physical activity enhancement programs in both communities feasible, thus indicating potential for the further implementation of the program. This research provides new insight into ways of enhancing physical activity in older adults and people with disabilities. Such insight could be used to customize such programs to specific needs.