This interventional study aims to design strategies to improve service quality andproductivity in recreational sports facilities in Mashhad Municipality, focusing oncreating an age-friendly city. The research consists of two parts: fieldwork and anexperimental section.Field Section: 1. Assess seniors' perceptions of services using the SERVQUAL questionnaire and other tools. 2. Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to elderly sports participation.Experimental Section:Evaluate the impact of intergenerational sports activities on elderly participants (aged60+). Participants were paired with younger individuals and randomly allocated to fivegroups, including a control group.Group Tasks: - Control Group: 78 seniors continued daily routines without structured activities. - Experimental Groups: 1. Non-sport intergenerational interaction sessions (90 minutes, 3x/week). 2. Intergenerational yoga sessions (90 minutes, 3x/week). 3. Light aerobic exercises + group discussions (90 minutes, 3x/week). 4. Non-exercise intergenerational sessions in a park (90 minutes, 3x/week). 5. Non-exercise intergenerational sessions in a nursing home (90 minutes, 3x/week). Field Study Sample: - 384 customers of Mashhad Municipality sports facilities (192 women, 192 men).Key Notes: - Elderly participants were selected through cluster sampling; younger participants were purposively sampled from Mashhad's Islamic Azad University. - Gender balance (50% women, 50% men) was maintained in all groups.Main Questions: 1. How do service quality factors influence customers of Mashhad Municipality sports facilities? 2. Do intergenerational programs improve quality of life, health, and well-being for seniors? 3. What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for elderly sports participation? 4. What strategies can enhance elderly participation in sports?
1. Data Collection Instruments
The following questionnaires will be utilized to achieve the research objectives:
1. Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire: Includes variables such as age, gender,
marital status, income, education level, occupation, and number of children.
2. Socio-economic Status Questionnaire: Assesses various dimensions of socio-economic
status.
3. World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire: Measures quality of life
based on established criteria.
4. Elderly Depression Questionnaire: Assesses depression levels among elderly
participants.
5. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28): A self-administered tool examining overall
health, focusing on non-psychotic disorders.
6. Parent-Child Relationship Scale: Evaluates the dynamics of relationships between
parents and their children.
7. Student Depression Questionnaire: Measures depression levels among university
students.
8. Service Quality Questionnaire: Assesses the quality of services provided.
9. Facility Checklist and Productivity Index Checklist: Tools for evaluating facility
conditions and efficiency.
10. World Health Organization Age-Friendly City Criteria Questionnaire: Assesses
compliance with age-friendly city standards.
2. Study Population and Sample Selection
The study population includes two groups:
- Elderly Participants: Individuals aged 60 years and older residing in Mashhad.
Recruitment will occur through public announcements and notices in locations such as
parks and mosques, aiming to enroll 150 elderly individuals using purposive and
convenient sampling.
- Young Participants: Students aged 20 to 24 years enrolled at Islamic Azad
University. A total of 100 students (50 male, 50 female) will be recruited through
public announcements and notices posted in all faculties during the academic year
2017-2018.
After collecting demographic data and completing questionnaires, elderly participants
will be randomly assigned to three groups: two experimental groups and one control group.
The sample size is based on experimental research designs, with a larger number selected
to enhance generalizability and reduce dropout rates.
3. Limitations of the Study
- Lack of accurate data on the number of active elderly individuals and their
participation levels in regular sports activities.
- Cultural barriers limiting women's participation in community activities.
- Limited access to organizations specializing in elderly issues, restricting the
ability to obtain a representative sample.
4. Ethical Considerations
- Participants will be informed about the study's objectives and methodology before
participation.
- Informed consent will be obtained from all participants.
- Confidentiality of personal information will be maintained.
- Private interpretations of results will be offered to interested individuals.
- No financial burden will be imposed on participants.
- The study will comply with religious and cultural standards relevant to participants
and the broader community.
Behavioral: Intergenerational Activity Program: This indicates a program that involves activities designed for interaction between older adults and younger participants
Engage in 90-minute intergenerational interaction sessions, three times a week for three
months, in a controlled indoor environment.
- Spend the first 45 minutes actively interacting with a younger participant in pairs,
collaborating on activities of interest to the senior.
- Participate in group activities such as book reading, puzzles, joke-telling, and
sharing experiences for the remaining 45 minutes.
- Attend 36 sessions held on odd days in the main hall of the Neshat Center.
- Gender Representation:
- 60 participants (30 women and 30 men) aged 60 and above, selected through stratified
random sampling from Mashhad's elderly population.
- 60 younger participants (30 women and 30 men) with an average age of 21.45 ± 0.35
years, selected through purposive sampling from Mashhad's Islamic Azad University.
Behavioral: Yoga and Mindfulness Sessions
Participate in 90-minute intergenerational yoga sessions, three times a week for three
months, in a gym setting.
- Perform modified yoga exercises suitable for seniors, including:
- 20 minutes of warm-up with stretching and joint rotations.
- 50 minutes of main exercises (asanas and pranayama).
- 20 minutes of relaxation and meditation (Shavasana).
- Attend sessions on odd days at 9 AM in the Neshat Center yoga hall.
- Gender Representation:
- 60 participants (30 women and 30 men) aged 60 and above, selected through stratified
random sampling from Mashhad's elderly population.
- 60 younger participants (30 women and 30 men) with an average age of 21.45 ± 0.35
years, selected through purposive sampling from Mashhad's Islamic Azad University.
Behavioral: Physical Exercise and Storytelling
Engage in 60-minute light aerobic exercises, three times a week for three months, in a
park setting.
- Follow warm-up and aerobic exercises led by a senior fitness instructor.
- Spend 30 minutes in a friendly group discussion, sharing experiences and memories
with younger participants.
- Attend sessions on even days at 9 AM in Mashhad's Mellat Park.
- Gender Representation:
- 60 participants (30 women and 30 men) aged 60 and above, selected through stratified
random sampling from Mashhad's elderly population.
- 60 younger participants (30 women and 30 men) with an average age of 21.45 ± 0.35
years, selected through purposive sampling from Mashhad's Islamic Azad University.
Behavioral: Outdoor Interaction Games
Participate in 90-minute intergenerational interaction sessions, three times a week for
three months, in a park setting.
- Engage in non-exercise activities such as group discussions, storytelling, and
sharing experiences with younger participants.
- Attend sessions on even days at 9 AM in Mashhad's Mellat Park.
- Gender Representation:
- 60 participants (30 women and 30 men) aged 60 and above, selected through stratified
random sampling from Mashhad's elderly population.
- 60 younger participants (30 women and 30 men) with an average age of 21.45 ± 0.35
years, selected through purposive sampling from Mashhad's Islamic Azad University.
Behavioral: Social Visits to Nursing Homes
Engage in 90-minute intergenerational interaction sessions, three times a week for three
months, in a nursing home setting.
- Participate in non-exercise activities such as group discussions, storytelling, and
sharing experiences with younger participants.
- Attend sessions on odd days at 9 AM in the nursing home.
- Gender Representation:
- 60 participants (30 women and 30 men) aged 60 and above, selected through stratified
random sampling from Mashhad's elderly population.
- 60 younger participants (30 women and 30 men) with an average age of 21.45 ± 0.35
years, selected through purposive sampling from Mashhad's Islamic Azad University.
Other: control group
Continue with their daily routines without participating in any intergenerational
interaction or structured activities.
- No specific interventions or programs are provided.
- Gender Representation:
- 78 participants (39 women and 39 men) aged 60 and above, selected through stratified
random sampling from Mashhad's elderly population.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Elderly Participants:
Aged 60 years or older.
Ability to engage in physical activities.
Absence of sensory or motor disabilities.
No use of antidepressant medications.
No history of conditions such as Alzheimer's or other illnesses that could pose risks
during exercise.
Younger Participants:
Aged 20 to 24 years.
Unmarried.
Living with their parents.
Native residents of Mashhad.
Exclusion Criteria:
Irregular attendance (more than two absences).
Physical or psychological issues hindering participation.
Lack of willingness to continue.
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities and Literature, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
Sanandaj, Kurdestan, Iran, Islamic Republic of
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran, Islamic Republic of
Dr. Zinat Ebrahimi, Professor, Principal Investigator
Physical Education and Sport, Islamic Azad Sanandaj, Iran.