Exploring the Enjoyment of the Intergenerational Physical Activity

Intergenerational physical activity could be a pleasant method to prevent elderly sedentary
behaviors. The aim of this study is to provide a basis to develop an intergenerational physical activity
between preschool children and elderly people. An assessing enjoyment three questionnaire survey
was administered to 140 participants (aged 67.8  9.1): the global physical activity questionnaire
(GPAQ) assessing the sedentariness degree; the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES-Q) assessing
enjoyment for the physical activity usually practiced; the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACESINT)
assessing the enjoyment for a hypothetical intergenerational program. Successively, the sample
was divided into subgroups based on age, gender, marital status, education, employment, sports
background, sedentariness level and residential location. Four multichoice questions, aiming to have
guidelines in organizing an intergenerational program, were used. A total of 44.3% of the sample
found the physical activity practiced pleasant, whereas 81.5% enjoyed the intergenerational program
(only 7.1% expressed a negative judgment). A separated one-way ANOVA showed significant
differences in PACES-INT for gender, (p = 0.009), residential location, (p < 0.001) and employment
(p = 0.004). About 80% of the sample would adhere to the intergenerational programs, despite the
fatigue fear and logistic or family relationship problems.