Generations Active Together: An Example of Using Physical Activity Promotion and Digital Technology to Bring Together Adolescents and Older People in Stirling, Scotland

Simone A. Tomaz*, Laura Taylor, Gemma C. Ryde, Hannah L. Bradwell, Leonie Cooper, Pete Coffee, Greg Mannion, Catherine Hennessy, Richard Haynes, Anna C. Whittaker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Generations Active Together (GAT) program, delivered by Active Stirling in central Scotland, is an intergenerational physical activity (PA) program for adolescents in high school and older adults in care homes and community groups. The Generating Older Active Lives Digitally (GOALD) Research Team sought to use GAT to examine how digital technology developed for the purpose of PA and sports-based reminiscence can be used to improve social connectedness for older adults. This paper details the challenges and successes of delivering the GAT program and describes the differences between in-person pre-pandemic delivery of GAT with the attempted digital delivery during the pandemic. The transferable lessons learned from GAT delivery to GOALD project planning and implementation included, but are not limited to, the importance of in-person activities for both generations and using digital technology as a complementary, rather than a replacement tool for PA delivery.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Intergenerational Relationships
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Archeology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

Keywords

  • Exercise
  • gerontology
  • intervention
  • online

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