Conference Agenda

Aim: Thesis examined associations between physical activity and older adults’ general health, well-being, and health problems. The study analysed self-rated health, well-being, health problem prevalence, physical activity levels, gender differences, age associations, and relationships between health, well-being, health problems and aspects of physical activity.
Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data via a convenience-sampled questionnaire administered through Google Forms from November 2025 to January 2026. The sample included 196 Estonian respondents (72% women, n = 141; 28% men, n = 55), with a mean age of 71.9 years (range 65–95).
Results: Overall, 57.2% rated their health as very good or good. A total of 35.2% of participants met the WHO recommendation of performing muscle-strengthening exercises on ≥2 days per week. Higher activity was linked to better self-rated health, while longer sedentary time was negatively related to all well-being indicators. WHO-5 scores showed over 80,6% had good well-being (mean 16,2 ± 4,94), with 80.6% mostly calm and stress-free and 74% active and energetic, only 26% felt refreshed in the past two weeks. Fatigue (78.6%), muscle and joint pain (75%), and physical pain (63.3%) were most common, headaches (24.5%) and digestive problems (34.2%) were less frequent. Gender and age were associated with digestive disorders, with women and older respondents more affected. WHO-5 scores were positively related to walking and exercise, and negatively to sitting time.
Conclusions: Participants frequently reported fatigue, physical and musculoskeletal pain, while headaches and digestive problems were less common. Few engaged in muscle-strengthening exercises, and longer sedentary time was linked to poorer well-being.

Purpose: The GESTALT – Get 10 project aims to scale-up a physical activity (PA) program within municipal prevention practice. It targets older adults who are inactive or engage in very little PA, and combines different forms of exercise with social and cognitive approaches. Results of scaling-up the PA program in ten municipalities in Bavaria (Germany) from 2020 to 2024 are presented below.

Methods: The evidence-based GESTALT-PA program was systematically provided to participating municipalities through a participatory approach. Local scale-up was primarily coordinated by municipal coordinators, who supported knowledge integration, resource management, and program delivery. The program was delivered by specially trained exercise instructors. Scale-up and implementation were evaluated using standardized questionnaires completed by the coordinators after the funding phase and analysed by the research team.

Results: Over the course of the project the GESTALT-PA program was scaled-up in all ten municipalities. Specifically, 45 GESTALT-PA initial courses and 44 follow-up courses were implemented. In addition, 23 new PA initiatives were established. Overall, 74 exercise instructors were educated to implement the programme, also five supervisors were additionally qualified to educate future instructors. Twelve months after the end of the funding period, the GESTALT-PA program continued and was partly scaled up, albeit to varying extents.

Conclusion: Through the targeted provision and training of local exercise instructors, the program was successfully implemented and scaled up across the planned region and partly beyond. Further research is needed to examine the extent to which the program was successfully transferred to neighbouring municipalities and sustainably established there.

Purpose:

Walking sports are adapted versions of traditional sports designed to motivate older adults for participation due to the reduced physical intensity while maintaining social elements. They are increasingly promoted to provide positive health benefits. However, the extent of evidence evaluating their health influences remain unclear. This scoping review aimed to systematically identify, map and synthesize existing qualitative literature on walking sports for older people.

Method:

A scoping review was performed following the JBI methodology, with results reported according to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Systematic searches of academic databases and grey literature identified studies evaluating walking sports. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened using predefined inclusion criteria guided by the PCC framework (Population, Concept, Context). Data were extracted on study characteristics and overall health outcomes, with results synthesised thematically, with barriers and facilitators mapped to the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Results:

The review identified 23 articles on walking sports, with 17 focusing on football, two on netball, one on rugby, with three articles on multiple sports. Most participants were male, with limited focus on diverse cultures. Outcomes highlighted facilitators and barriers impacting participation. When mapped to the COM-B model and the TDF, key facilitators identified included perceived health benefits, fun, and flexible programme structure. Barriers included physical inability, sports culture, and health concerns.

Conclusions:

Walking sports support participation in health-enhancing physical activity. Future research should focus on a wider range of sports and include participants from more diverse groups.