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Pilot projekt 'Richtig fit ab 50 - Staying fit at 50+'
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Veröffentlicht: | 18. Dezember 2006 |
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Sports clubs already have a long tradition regarding “sport for older people”. In 2003, the German Sports Confederation implemented the pilot project “Richtig fit ab 50” – supported by the German Federal Ministry for Senior Citizens – aimed at testing new ideas, concepts and programmes so as to
- motivate more women and men of the 50+ generation to actively and regularly practice sports and
- address especially older newcomers, as well as those who wish to re-engage with sporting activities.
The pilot project included the development and continuous extension of the website www.richtigfit-ab50.de and four topic projects which were implemented at regional level on the responsibility of Sports Confederations:
- In Bavaria, partners within the public health service system were asked to motivate seniors to engage in sport programmes, in particular medical doctors whose advice is held in high regard by older people.
- In Schleswig-Holstein, a combined programme for fitness and wellness was designed to facilitate access to physical activity.
- In Thuringia, the pilot project was aimed at renewing the enthusiasm of older men who had been active in ball sports in the past and motivate them to take up such sports again.
- In Berlin, building societies and other partners helped to establish a sports programme under the motto “Sport Meets Older People” by providing special local premises, which meant offering attractive leisure activities in the housing estate environment.
Project Results
In conclusion, older people have shown a great interest in physical activities – much more participants than expected were attracted by the project. This was primarily due to the fact that the sporting activities were oriented to the needs of older women and men. Programmes in this area should be as multifaceted as possible – from sailing to square-dancing. It is also important to facilitate access to organised sports. Courses composed of new participants only as well as courses for couples were well received.
Older people have a need for information and counselling. The appealingly designed website http://www.richtigfit-ab50.de/ is well accepted. Through an online-inquiry, users had the opportunity to actively participate in the permanent further development of the website.
The results of the project and practical recommendations on how to make use of them are documented in the brochure “Richtig fit ab 50” by the German Sports Federation and at http://www.richtigfit-ab50.de/.