Wagner-Gutiérrez Nicolle, Gonzalez Silvia A, Rubio Maria Alejandra, Sánchez-Franco Sharon, Palencia-Pérez Leonardo, Blanco Martha, Adlakha Deepti, Aguirre-Patiño Juan Sebastián, Ossa Natalia, Vietto Gianfranco, Suárez David, Sarmiento Olga L
School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
Int J Equity Health. 2025 May 22;24(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02476-5.
By 2050, over 2 billion people will be aged 60 or older, with most living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Latin America, this demographic shift presents challenges for under-resourced health and social systems. Community-based physical activity programs, such as Bogotá's Recreovía, play a critical role in supporting older adults' health and well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was adapted to offer both outdoor and virtual sessions, aiming to maintain physical activity and social connections despite mobility restrictions. However, there is limited evidence on how such programs influence broader healthy aging outcomes, including mental health and social relationships, particularly during crisis settings. This study describes these outcomes among older adults who participated in Recreovía during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bogotá, Colombia.
We conducted a mixed-methods study using a simultaneous bidirectional framework design. A survey measured program use and outcomes related to healthy aging, complemented by a network analysis of social relationships. In-depth interviews explored participants' perceived impacts on quality of life.
Recreovía participation showed significant benefits for older adults' quality of life. Quantitative data revealed improvements in physical health, mental and psychological well-being. Participants reported enhanced self-esteem, sustained health measures, and strengthened mental resilience. The program also fostered intergenerational relationships, promoted independence, and created supportive peer networks. Qualitative findings highlighted the importance of outdoor environments for physical activity and their holistic contributions to spiritual well-being. The integration of both data sources confirmed these benefits, underscoring Recreovía's role in enhancing overall well-being and social relationships.
Community-based physical activity programs like Recreovía enhance older adults' social engagement, foster intergenerational relationships, reduce social isolation, and promote healthy aging. Outdoor spaces that support physical activity and socialization are vital for maintaining independence, mental health, and quality of life. These programs also help older adults sustain relationships and contribute meaningfully to society, promoting a more equitable and supportive environment for healthy aging. By prioritizing the development and support of such spaces and programs, policymakers and community leaders can enhance aging populations' well-being by prioritizing such initiatives, which are critical for public health strategies in resource-limited settings.
到2050年，全球60岁及以上人口将超过20亿，其中大多数生活在低收入和中等收入国家（LMICs）。在拉丁美洲，这种人口结构转变给资源匮乏的卫生和社会系统带来了挑战。基于社区的体育活动项目，如波哥大的“休闲之路”（Recreovía），在支持老年人的健康和福祉方面发挥着关键作用。在新冠疫情期间，该项目进行了调整，提供户外和虚拟课程，旨在尽管有行动限制，但仍能保持体育活动和社会联系。然而，关于此类项目如何影响更广泛的健康老龄化成果，包括心理健康和社会关系，尤其是在危机背景下，证据有限。本研究描述了在哥伦比亚波哥大新冠疫情期间参加“休闲之路”项目的老年人的这些成果。
我们采用同步双向框架设计进行了一项混合方法研究。一项调查测量了与健康老龄化相关的项目使用情况和成果，并辅以社会关系的网络分析。深入访谈探讨了参与者对生活质量的感知影响。
参加“休闲之路”项目对老年人的生活质量有显著益处。定量数据显示身体健康、心理和精神健康状况有所改善。参与者报告自尊增强、健康指标持续良好以及心理韧性增强。该项目还促进了代际关系，提高了独立性，并建立了支持性的同伴网络。定性研究结果强调了户外环境对体育活动的重要性及其对精神健康的整体贡献。两种数据源的整合证实了这些益处，凸显了“休闲之路”项目在提升整体幸福感和社会关系方面的作用。
像“休闲之路”这样基于社区的体育活动项目增强了老年人的社会参与度，促进了代际关系，减少了社会隔离，并促进了健康老龄化。支持体育活动和社交的户外空间对于维持独立性、心理健康和生活质量至关重要。这些项目还帮助老年人维持人际关系并为社会做出有意义的贡献，为健康老龄化营造了一个更加公平和支持性的环境。通过优先发展和支持此类空间和项目，政策制定者和社区领袖可以通过优先开展此类举措来提高老年人口的福祉，这对于资源有限环境下的公共卫生战略至关重要。
