Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• sahar khanizadeh ¹
• Mohammad Ehsani ²
• yong jin Yoon ³
• rasool norouzi seyed hossini ⁴

¹ Tarbiat Modares university

² Tarbiat Modares University, Faculty of Humanities, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Sport Industry Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

⁴ Associate professor in sport management, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Active aging is an effective way to improve the quality of life and well-being of the older adult. In line with the needs of today's society in Iran, the purpose of this study is to analyze and understanding the neighborhood environment from the perspective of the older adult and also to explain the status of physical activity of the older adult in the neighborhood in Tehran. The present study is a qualitative and interpretive study that uses the strategy of phenomenological research to explain and interpret the essence of the older adult experience of physical activity at the neighborhood level and deep knowledge of this phenomenon. The population in this study is the older adult with physical activity in the neighborhood of Ekhtiarieh in Tehran. Finally, 24 people were interviewed. The obtained data were encoded and analyzed using Colaizzi method. Based on the data analysis, one main theme (Sociopetalness of active older adult in the neighborhood) and four sub-themes (active social self in the neighborhood, Playability and social participation for more physical activity in the neighborhood, more social interaction for physical activity in the neighborhood) was obtained. According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that in addition to the physical features of the neighborhood environment, the cultural and social context governing the local communities can change the behavioral relationships in favor of becoming more active.

Keywords

• Social inclusion
• social interaction
• active aging
• physical activity
• neighborhood

Main Subjects

• Lifestyle and spending leisure time through sport