Population aging in small towns and the promotion of health and well-being

Outdoor gyms in Centenário do Sul, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Objective – To investigate public policies aimed at promoting health and well-being among older adults, specifically physical exercise, in the small town of Centenário do Sul, Paraná, Brazil.

Methodology – To this end, an exploratory qualitative study was conducted, using simple observation and structured interviews with older adults residing in Centenário do Sul, Paraná, Brazil.

Originality/Relevance – The study stands out for focusing on the interface between population aging, public policies, and the everyday use of preventive health urban facilities in a small town—an empirical setting that remains underexplored compared with analyses concentrated in metropolitan centers. It is also relevant to policy formulation, as it shows that the mere provision of infrastructure does not, in itself, ensure adherence or changes in habits.

Results – The findings indicate that the outdoor gyms have not been used by older adults living in the neighborhoods where they were installed; that older adults do not conceive physical exercise as a means of promoting health; and that there are no municipal management actions that contribute to building a new perspective on physical exercise in old age.

Theoretical/Methodological Contributions – The research contributes by linking the discussion of aging to the production/use of urban space and to the effectiveness of public policies in non-metropolitan contexts, highlighting socio-territorial dimensions (location, accessibility, meanings attributed to the equipment, routines, and sociability networks) that condition policy outcomes. Methodologically, it demonstrates the value of combining simple observation and structured interviews to capture the mismatch between institutional provision (equipment) and social appropriation (use, meaning, and practices).

Social and Environmental Contributions – The findings provide support for improving municipal policies on health and well-being in later life, indicating the need for integrated actions (health education, professional follow-up, regular groups, community engagement strategies, and the participation of older adults in the design of initiatives). Indirectly, they reinforce the role of public spaces and open areas in promoting health, social interaction, and the appreciation of the urban environment, fostering the qualified appropriation of outdoor facilities and the everyday activation of collective spaces.