In our country, middle-aged and elderly people usually exercise in different ways.
Many prefer structured activities such as Pilates, gentle gymnastics, or group fitness classes designed for seniors. In our area, there are several gyms offering programs focused on balance, flexibility, and posture – Pilates is especially popular among women.
There are also outdoor fitness opportunities in public parks and green areas, where people can walk, stretch, or join informal group activities.
For example, the “Mappatella Gym” is a free outdoor gym located on the Rotonda Diaz in Naples, along the seaside. It offers simple equipment such as bars and benches for safe outdoor exercise.
Another well-known place is the
Capodimonte Park, a large green area where people often practice outdoor Pilates or gentle physical activities with instructors.
These places promote an accessible, healthy, and social approach to physical activity, perfectly aligned with our project’s goal of bringing movement closer to seniors.
Through our interviews with Pilates participants, we also found that physical activity is seen not only as exercise, but as a way to improve well-being, self-confidence, and social connection.
zehra
Hi, it’s Zehra from Team 11.
Great insights! I like how you highlight that exercise for seniors is not just physical but also boosts well-being, confidence, and social connection. Outdoor spaces like Mappatella Gym and Capodimonte Park perfectly support accessible, community-focused activities, which aligns really well with our project goals.
I’m also leaving a supportive website as a reference: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13335-1
francescaesposito
Ciao Zehra!
Grazie mille, davvero. Hai colto esattamente lo spirito del discorso: quando si parla di attività per gli anziani, il movimento è solo metà della magia. L’altra metà nasce da quello che si crea intorno ,relazioni, motivazione, piccoli rituali condivisi.
E hai ragione sugli spazi: la Palestra Mappatella e il Parco di Capodimonte sono quasi simbolici, sono luoghi che “ti vogliono bene”, che rendono il benessere qualcosa di semplice e spontaneo. Perfettamente in linea con la nostra idea di comunità attiva e inclusiva.
fortunatinabranno
Hi Zehra, thank you so much for your message!
I really appreciate the way you captured the main point: physical activity for older adults isn’t just about movement, but also significantly contributes to their emotional and social well-being. You perfectly connected this aspect to public spaces like Palestra Mappatella and Capodimonte Park, showing how they are inclusive environments that truly benefit the community.
Thank you as well for sharing the scientific resource — it’s a valuable reference that adds depth and credibility to our work. Your contribution is clear, constructive, and truly appreciated!
miriamdemarco
Abbiamo apprezzato molto la tua descrizione su come le persone di mezza età e gli anziani rimangono attivi nel tuo Paese. Era chiara e in linea con la nostra ricerca, soprattutto per quanto riguarda Pilates, attività dolci e il valore sociale dell’esercizio all’aperto.
Abbiamo anche adorato i riferimenti alla Mappatella Gym e al Parco di Capodimonte: rappresentano perfettamente lo spirito del nostro progetto, che vuole avvicinare il movimento agli anziani in modo accessibile e comunitario.
Le tue osservazioni sull’attività fisica come fonte di benessere, fiducia e connessione sociale ci sono sembrate particolarmente significative.