TAS - THE AGE OF SPORT

MAIN GOAL Educate sports associations, coaches and trainers on the importance of sports for older adults as crucial action to support the sustainable future of our local, national and European communities Specific Objectives 1 Spread knowledge on the condition of older adults in Europe. 2 Promote the benefits of sport for the older adult: psycho/physical/social. 3 Give sports associations, coaches and trainers the tools to promote sports activities to older adults. Project concept: We want to underline the importance of sports as an inclusive field. The population in Europe is ageing rapidly. Physical activity and sports participation are significant in older adults to maintain functional capacity, prevent falls, and maintain social networks that may also positively affect health. However, studies show that about two-thirds of adults aged 55–69 years and about three-quarters of those over 70 seldom or never participate in sports or exercise. Sports associations need to be aware of the increase in the elderly population and the consequences they can cause at the local, national and European levels and understand its essential and crucial role. This project, led by ROMACAMMINA, aims to understand the main barriers (social, physical, and cultural) to sports participation and physical activity for older adults. It focuses on identifying specific practices to promote the benefits of sport for the elderly and new skills to trainers and coaches to create the conditions to propose sports aggregation to an older people target. The consortium will develop an international network of sports associations to promote active ageing. The project provides a platform for exchanging experience, effective interventions, training and education, and ways to disseminate scientific knowledge to policy-makers and practitioners.