Intergenerational physical activity: Effects of a three-month intervention bringing together older adults and elementary school children

For the first time in history, children are projected to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents (Olshansky et al., 2005). Besides, older adults are the less active population group (Sun et al., 2013). Intergenerational PA has the potential to increase PA and quality of life (QoL) among those two age-groups but research in the field is still very limited (Flora & Faulkner, 2007). Accordingly, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of an intergeneration PA intervention on self-reported PA and Qol among older adults and elementary school children. At baseline, two intergenerational groups were formed: (Gr1) 11 older adults (63.91±7.62 years) and a class of 18 children (4.81±0.37 years); (Gr2) 9 older adults (68.67±7.25) and a class of 13 children (7.16±0.38years). Those groups took part in a three-month intergenerational intervention including one weekly session of PA practiced in the school context. Assessments were performed before (T0), during (satisfaction level), after the intervention (T1) and after a three months’ follow-up period (T2). PA and Qol were respectively assessed with the QAPPA and the SF-36 among older adults, and with adapted versions of the PAQ-C and the AUQUEI among children. Older adults’ physical fitness was also assessed with the SFT battery test. Participation rate was relatively high in both groups during PA sessions (Gr1: 81.48% older adults and 93.21% children; Gr2: 83.33% older adults and 91.45% children). At T1, Only 1 older adult (Gr1) dropped out of the study, as 9 children (group 1) and 6 children (group 2) dropped out due to the failure of the parents to complete and return the children’s questionnaires. Preliminary results of the SFT exposed significant improvements of the upper limbs strength in both groups (p<0.05). Further analyses will inform about effects on PA and Qol.