A total of 24 interviews were conducted with the older adults in Ekhtiarieh neighborhood to identify their perception of physical activity in the neighborhood. These people were doing physical activity in the neighborhood and had been living in the neighborhood for more than a year. Their descriptive report can be seen in Table 1.
Table 1
Descriptive statistics of the participants
N | Pseudonym | Gender | Age (years) | Years of residence in the neighborhood (year) |
1 | Pooran | Female | 69 | 38 |
2 | Fereshteh | Female | 79 | 79 |
3 | Reza | Male | 66 | 40 |
4 | Guti | Female | 73 | 23 |
4 | Marjan | Female | 67 | 20 |
5 | Soraya | Female | 83 | 38 |
6 | Areshir | Male | 70 | 20 |
7 | Farhad | Male | 68 | 68 |
8 | Khosro | Male | 66 | 35 |
9 | Farshid | Male | 71 | 71 |
10 | Parivash | Female | 61 | 22 |
11 | Kourosh | Male | 64 | 6 |
12 | Parvaneh | Female | 65 | 11 |
13 | Khashayar | Male | 78 | 34 |
14 | Nasim | Female | 83 | 55 |
15 | Nooshafarin | Female | 84 | 40 |
16 | Ramin | Male | 63 | 20 |
17 | Daruish | Male | 77 | 77 |
18 | Hadi | Male | 83 | 17 |
19 | Majid | Male | 61 | 2 |
20 | Farzad | Male | 66 | 40 |
21 | Leila | Female | 68 | 23 |
22 | Siroos | Male | 63 | 20 |
23 | Bahram | Male | 64 | 26 |
Table 1 about here
For the thematic analysis and content analysis of the interviews, first, the audio recorded from the interview sessions was transcribed and completed with the notes taken during the interview sessions. After careful reading of the texts, all Independent point of view were identified in the form of initial concepts and codes for each interview. The initial coding was repeated several times by considering the emphasis and the frequency of referring to them in the form of sub-themes, and the main themes were identified through a round-trip approach. Finally the main and sub-themes were identified as described in Table 2.
Table 2
Themes of health for active older adults
Concepts | Sub-themes | Main themes |
physical activity as a risk reducer in old age | physical health | Active older adults’ health |
treatment of diseases in old age |
mental cleansing | mental health |
reducing the experience of negative emotions |
meeting the needs for physical activity in the neighborhood | social health |
social responsibility |
satisfaction with the living environment | health of the living environment |
serenity in the living environment |
strong emotional connection among peers | emotional health |
talking to express feelings |
Table 2 about here
Based on the data analysis, a main theme, five sub-themes and ten concept were obtained, the interpretations of which are as follows. One of the sub-themes that was repeatedly seen in the observations and mentioned in the interviews was "physical health". The older adults' perception about the effectiveness of physical activity in their physical health led to active aging at the neighborhood level. Under this sub-theme, there is a concept "Physical activity as a risk reducer in old age". In this regard, 66-year-old Farzad (pseudonym) said:
It is necessary at our age to exercise. I mean light aerobic exercise to burn fat, control blood sugar, and move our legs so that we don't feeble and infirm at older age.
77-year-old Dariush (pseudonym) said:
We did our sports before. At 77 or 78, we now sit and watch. Two weeks ago, I lost my balance in the subway and fell to the ground with my back. There was someone who happened to know me. He said it was because of former sports that I didn't hurt much. If it wasn't for former sports, I wouldn't be here now.
79-year-old Fereshteh (pseudonym) also said:
After all, I am responsible for the family, so I must take care of my health.
Under the sub-theme of physical health, there is a concept of "Treatment of diseases in old age". In this regard, 67-year-old Marjan (pseudonym) said:
I have high blood pressure. The doctor said that I must walk. It is necessary that I do it.
83-year-old Hadi (pseudonym) also said:
Because I have arthritis, my doctor told me to walk for half an hour every day.
68-year-old Farhad (pseudonym) also said:
I exercise because I have diabetes and exercise is therapeutic. I walk here (Arghavan Park) for an hour... I exercise. Even if it weren't for it (referring to diabetes), exercise is good for health.
Another extracted sub-theme that was repeatedly seen in the observations and mentioned in the interviews was "mental health". Improving mental health from the older adults' view was another reason for active aging. Under this main theme, there is the concept of "cleansing the mind". In this regard, 67-year-old Reza (pseudonym) said:
When a person exercises, he puts all his problems aside.
69-year-old Pooran (pseudonym) also said:
If I don't exercise, I get depressed. I feel that I am missing something.
In response to the question, why did you choose the neighborhood environment for physical activity, 83-year-old Nasim (pseudonym) answered:
Just to keep up the spirit... When you stay home, you get depressed. When you go outside, you cheer up.
Another concept under this theme is "reducing the experience of negative emotions". In this regard, 67-year-old Marjan (pseudonym) said:
When I retired from work, I had a very bad feeling. But I like this place. I chat with other women and exercise.
71-year-old Farshid (pseudonym) said:
The new generation is all concerned about solving their daily problems, but even if you want to think about the future, health and well-being come first... They are more important than everything else.
65-year-old Parvaneh (pseudonym) also said:
My mood gets completely different when I come here, when I start walking, when I talk even a few words with others. I am a sort of a person to talk and laugh. I like such things. Here I meet some people I didn't know before. We talk. We laugh. They give me energy. We go around. When it's cold, we wear more clothes. When it's hot, we wear fewer clothes. In fact, we come to feel good.
Another extracted sub-theme that was repeatedly seen in the observations and mentioned in the interviews was "social health". Under this sub-theme, there is a concept of " meeting the needs for physical activity in the neighborhood ". 64-year-old Kourosh (pseudonym) said:
I come to play here even at night. We bring mobile wires and lamps and turn on the lights.
62-year-old Ramin (pseudonym) also said:
It is better to fence around the park or playground. We will do it ourselves if they allow us to do it … just allow it!
Another concept under social health is "social responsibility". In this regard, 69-year-old Pooran (pseudonym) said:
You know that there is a lot of garbage. I myself called 137(The number related to the public communication of the municipality) because of the garbage that I see in the streets.
79-year-old Fereshteh (pseudonym) said:
Today, some ladies were complaining about the leaves on the ground. We have reported it too. But it is autumn now, and the poor dustmen are doing their best too.
Another extracted sub-theme that was repeatedly seen in the observations and mentioned in the interviews was "health of the living environment". Satisfaction with the living environment is under this sub-theme. In this regard, 66-year-old Farzad (pseudonym) said:
We have been in this neighborhood for about 40 years. I am very satisfied. It is a very good place.
73-year-old Guiti (pseudonym) also said:
I myself have been coming to Arghvan Park for years because firstly it is not crowded, then it has a healthy environment, and there are good people here... I am very satisfied with our neighborhood. Everything is within reach.
Another concept under the sub-theme of the health of the living environment was "serenity in the living environment". In this regard, 65-year-old Parvaneh (pseudonym) said:
As soon as I feel bored at home, I come and walk in the park even though my feet hurt, and I can't walk much. But I feel relaxed when I'm here.
61-year-old Parivash (pseudonym) also said:
I prefer to exercise in the park where there is a lot of green space. It is more peaceful here than in the city places.
Another extracted sub-theme that was repeatedly seen in the observations and mentioned in the interviews was "emotional health". Under this sub-theme is "strong emotional connection among peers". In this regard, 66-year-old Khosro (pseudonym) said:
We are used to doing exercise with our friends here. We have chosen this place because it is ideal for entertainment and exercise and we will continue it.
83-year-old Soraya (pseudonym) also said:
A friendly atmosphere is very important for doing physical activity, and primarily, I exercise for my health!
Another concept under the sub-theme of emotional health is "talking to express feelings". 67-year-old Marjan (pseudonym) said:
Another good thing here is that if someone doesn't come here for a day or two, everyone will ask how she is doing. After all, all know each other. Some people say that if we sit at home, no one will call us, but here, thank God, everyone knows about each other.
71-year-old Farshid (pseudonym) also said:
We come here early in the morning, exercise for half an hour, and then it is over. But there are friends here too. We chat for an hour or two. We can't all stay at home.
Based on the data analysis, it was found that why the neighborhood environment is used to choose physical activity, and their interpretation is as follows.
Table 3 about here
Table 3
Themes of Sense of place and emotions
| Concepts | Sub-themes | Main theme | |
1 | A sense of belonging and participation in the neighborhood environment | Neighborhoodism and belonging to the neighborhood | Sense of place and emotions | |
2 | Satisfaction with the neighborhood environment | |
3 | Emphasis on the influence of historical dimensions on the identity of people in the neighborhood | Identity intertwined with the environment | |
4 | Introducing oneself by reference to the neighborhood | |
5 | Attraction of the neighborhood | Sympathetic environment | |
6 | Memorable neighborhood environment | Nostalgia of the perceived environment | |
7 | Identities left in the neighborhood | |
8 | Interaction with other people in the neighborhood | Symbiotic neighborhood | |
9 | Cooperation among the residents in the neighborhood | | |
10 | Information exchange | Place for instruction | |
11 | Holding classes in the public spaces | | |
Another main extracted theme that was repeatedly seen in the observations and mentioned in the interviews was "the sense of place and emotions in the park space". Elderly athletes believed that being in this space and doing physical exercises and sports would remind them of past memories and give them an identity. There were a number of sub-themes underlying this main theme including neighborhoodism and belonging to the neighborhood, identity intertwined with the environment, sympathetic environment, nostalgia of the perceived environment, symbiotic neighborhood and place for instruction. The observations also show that, according to the history of the neighborhood of Ekhtiarieh neighborhood and the Arghvan Park, there is a spirit and feeling in the place of the park and a chain of very strong feelings in the old residents of this neighborhood. With regard to the sub-theme of neighborhoodism and belonging to the neighborhood, 73-year-old Guiti (pseudonym), said:
I am very satisfied with our neighborhood because the atmosphere of our neighborhood is really good, everything is within reach, our neighborhood is pleasant, we have old tradesmen, etc.
79-year-old Khashayar (pseudonym) also said:
Our neighborhood is so good... I like it the way it is.
In fact, this feeling originates from the social and cultural structures in the neighborhood, which have been perceived by the elderly during their residence in the neighborhood. It is also in line with the sub-themes of identity intertwined with the environment, sympathetic environment, nostalgia of the perceived environment, which were observed in the behavior of the elderly and mentioned in their words. 83-year-old Hadi (pseudonym) said:
This neighborhood used to be a village. The whole area was called Lower Rostamabad. Higher Rostamabad was up Sadr Bridge. Lower village and higher village. The old people (elderly) introduce themselves by reference to the lower village and higher village.
77-year-old Dariush (pseudonym) said:
I was born around this park. I am a child of this neighborhood; my birth certificate was issued in Rostamabad village. I was an athlete, a soccer player. I was a soccer goalkeeper for this country... I feel depressed if decide to say more. We do not recognize local this 20-year-old man who comes to this park. We recognize someone local here whose birth certificate belongs to this place. This place used to be a village. There was a grocer who issued birth certificates too. He was a notary. I am proud that my birth certificate is from the village of Rostamabad! We used to pick apples and apricots in this same garden here.
This remark displays that the elderly invest in places with a special meaning to spend time and perform activities, making a deep emotional and psychological connection between the person and the environment. Concernin the sus-theme of Sympathetic environment, 61-year-old Parivash (pseudonym) said:
Well, it is the environment, atmosphere and friends that attract you.
It shows the attraction of the environment and the natural desire to be there, especially for physical activity and sports. Concerning the sub-theme of symbiotic neighborhood, 67-year-old Marjan (pseudonym) said:
Sometimes when we come to the park very early in the morning to exercise, we can see some drug addicts in the park, but since there are neighborhood men (neighbors) in the park too, we are not afraid at all… Here you find friends who are really dear... we are like brothers and sisters. 63-year-old Siroos (pseudonym) said:
I feel like a family feeling here... this is the best thing... What is then life?
68-year-old Laila (pseudonym) said:
This is a local park... no stranger comes... we are all locals. We know each other.
This theme refers to the reliance on collective participation, social relations, cooperation and maintaining ownership of the neighborhood and park environment by the residents.
With regard to the sub-theme of place for instruction, 79-year-old Fereshteh (pseudonym) said:
We talk with our friends here, we talk about our food, about our purchases. Everyone who finds something new comes and talks about it. When she finds new food, she comes and talks about it. We spend our time here.
69-year-old Pooran (pseudonym) said:
At our age, a person may not be a fashion model anymore, but he should be aware of the latest information. Here it is the same for me. We talk about everything. We have even dedicated one day a week after morning exercise to a class to learn English.
It seems that elderly athletes consider the park environment as a platform for improving their knowledge. Understanding the educational environment will have a significant impact on choosing the right space for physical activity.
Image 1 about here