Homens idosos em programas de esporte e lazer

Abstract

Most social projects involving sports and recreation activities appeal to the participants who identify with the activities practiced. On the other hand, there are individuals who remain averse to project activities, due to some discomfort regarding such activities. The present study seeks to identify the factors that interfere with the participation of elderly men in sports and recreation programs. The study was conducted in the neighborhood of Piedade, in the north zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, where 10 elderly men who live near the SUDERJ em FORMA project were interviewed. For the collection, processing and presentation of the data, we used the radical approach of the social representations as proposed by Votre (2009), from the Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC) of Lefebvre, et al (2007). The analysis model was outlined to consider both individuals with their singular opinions and the group meetings of these individuals on relevant topics. The results obtained indicated that the factors that contribute to the absence of elderly men in activities developed by the project are: the figure of the teacher, and the methodology applied; aversion to, embarrassment by, or discrimination from participating with women and youth; preference for other activities not offered by the project. Despite the good premise behind the benefits of elderly participation in sports and recreation programs, as well as the guaranteed access to these programs, our study found that such conditions were not sufficient to reach the elderly male public. We believe that in the process of creating new strategies and proposals, it is paramount that there be careful planning that identifies the social and individual difficulties that reduce or impede elderly participation in the activities proposed. We also concluded that reinforcing the benefits of physical activity, offering recreational activities not related to sport, offering activities adapted and exclusively for men, are viable alternatives to reach the elderly male public of the Project.