González-Calvo Gustavo, García-Monge Alfonso, Ramalho André, Hamdi Faten, Duarte-Mendes Pedro
Departamento de Didáctica de la Expresión Musical, Plástica y Corporal, Research Group Embodied Education, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
Department of Sports and Well Being, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal.
Front Psychol. 2025 Feb 17;16:1556790. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1556790. eCollection 2025.
This study explores the intersection of physical exercise, masculinity, and aging in older men, examining how these elements shape identity and bodily experiences. Aging is often framed through deficit-based narratives that emphasize decline; however, this research seeks to reframe aging as a process of adaptation and opportunity. By investigating how physical activity contributes to identity reconstruction, this study aims to provide insights into the broader social and structural factors influencing older men's engagement in exercise.
The study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 12 men aged 65-76. A narrative thematic analysis was conducted to examine participants' experiences, concerns, and expectations regarding physical activity. This approach allowed for an in-depth exploration of how exercise intersects with notions of masculinity and aging, as well as the barriers and facilitators that shape participation in physical activities.
The analysis identified three key themes: (1) the transformative role of exercise in fostering emotional well-being and bodily awareness, (2) the renegotiation of traditional masculinity through engagement in non-traditional physical activities, and (3) the social connections cultivated through group-based exercise programs. Additionally, the study highlights social and structural barriers, such as limited access to facilities and economic constraints, which hinder participation in physical activity.
Findings underscore the significance of physical activity not only for maintaining health but also as a space for identity reconstruction and resistance to conventional narratives of aging. The study suggests that exercise serves as a means of empowerment, allowing older men to navigate aging in ways that challenge societal expectations. Moreover, the identification of structural barriers emphasizes the need for inclusive public health policies and targeted interventions that promote active aging. By reframing aging as a dynamic process of adaptation rather than mere decline, this research contributes to a broader understanding of how older adults experience and engage with physical activity.
本研究探讨老年男性体育锻炼、男子气概与衰老之间的交叉关系，考察这些因素如何塑造身份认同和身体体验。衰老常常通过基于缺陷的叙事来构建，这些叙事强调衰退；然而，本研究旨在将衰老重新构建为一个适应和机遇的过程。通过调查体育活动如何促进身份重构，本研究旨在深入了解影响老年男性参与锻炼的更广泛社会和结构因素。
本研究采用定性研究设计，对12名年龄在65至76岁之间的男性进行半结构化访谈。进行了叙事主题分析，以考察参与者对体育活动的体验、担忧和期望。这种方法有助于深入探究锻炼如何与男子气概和衰老观念相互交织，以及塑造体育活动参与的障碍和促进因素。
分析确定了三个关键主题：（1）锻炼在促进情绪健康和身体意识方面的变革作用；（2）通过参与非传统体育活动对传统男子气概的重新协商；（3）通过基于群体的锻炼计划培养的社会联系。此外，该研究还强调了社会和结构障碍，如设施获取有限和经济限制，这些障碍阻碍了体育活动的参与。
研究结果强调了体育活动的重要性，不仅在于维持健康，还在于作为身份重构的空间以及对传统衰老叙事的抵制。该研究表明，锻炼是一种赋权手段，使老年男性能够以挑战社会期望的方式应对衰老。此外，对结构障碍的识别强调了制定包容性公共卫生政策和有针对性干预措施以促进积极老龄化的必要性。通过将衰老重新构建为一个动态的适应过程而非仅仅是衰退，本研究有助于更广泛地理解老年人如何体验和参与体育活动。
