Promoting Active And Successful Ageing Through Bocce Game In Aging Adults In Rural Areas: A Qualitative Study
Hande Kırışık, Büşra Nur Erol, Fatma Miray Mısır, Reyhan Urgan, Sema Yazgül, Remzi KurunWith the aging phenomenon of the population, the concepts of active and successful aging have gained importance. A risk to active and successful aging is the existence of infrastructural disadvantages such as limited access to health, education, transport, and social services in rural areas. Within the scope of this research, a bocce game event was organized with the participation of individuals aged between 50 and 60 years in the Haymana district, located in the rural area of Ankara. The data of this study consists of qualitative interviews conducted after the bocce game event, aimed at supporting active and successful aging among aging adults. A phenomenological approach was adopted for this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants using a semi-structured questionnaire. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 10.0 software. The qualitative findings were divided into four main themes: thoughts on playing bocce, perceptions of active and successful aging, support for active and successful aging through bocce, and expectations of organizations. The results of this study highlight the need to provide services that support active and successful aging for aging adults in rural areas. The findings indicate that bocce, which promotes physical activity and can be enjoyed irrespective of age or gender, serves as a crucial strategy for active and successful aging. In addition, local authorities play a crucial role in promoting physical activity and social engagement in rural areas.
Kırsal Alanda Yaşlanan Yetişkinlerde Bocce Oyunu Aracılığıyla Aktif ve Başarılı Yaşlanmanın Desteklenmesi: Nitel Bir Çalışma
Hande Kırışık, Büşra Nur Erol, Fatma Miray Mısır, Reyhan Urgan, Sema Yazgül, Remzi KurunNüfusun yaşlanma olgusu ile aktif ve başarılı yaşlanma kavramları önem kazanmıştır. Kırsal alanda sağlık, eğitim, ulaşım ve sosyal hizmetlere erişim gibi alt-yapısal dezavantajların varlığı aktif ve başarılı yaşlanma açısından risk oluşturmaktadır. Bu araştırma kapsamında Ankara ilinin kırsalında yer alan Haymana ilçesinde 50-60 yaş arasında bireylerin katıldığı bocce oyunu etkinliği organize edilmiştir. Araştırmanın verilerini yaşlanan yetişkinlerde aktif ve başarılı yaşlanmayı desteklemek için düzenlenen bocce oyunu etkinliği sonrası yapılan nitel görüşmeler oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışmada fenomenolojik yaklaşım benimsenmiştir. 10 katılımcı ile yarı yapılandırılmış soru formu kullanılarak derinlemesine görüşme yapılmıştır. NVivo 10.0 programı kullanılarak tematik analiz yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın nitel bulguları; bocce oyunu etkinliği ile ilgili düşünceler, aktif ve başarılı yaşlanma ile ilgili düşünceler, bocce oyunu ile aktif ve başarılı yaşlanmanın desteklenmesi ve kurumlardan beklentiler olmak üzere dört ana temaya ayrılmıştır. Bu araştırmanın bulguları kırsal alanda yaşlanan yetişkinler için aktif ve başarılı yaşlanmayı destekleyen hizmet sunumuna ihtiyaç olduğuna işaret etmektedir. Sonuç olarak, bocce oynamanın fiziksel aktiviteye katılımı artırması, yaş ve cinsiyetten bağımsız olarak bir araya gelip keyif alarak oynanabilmesi nedeniyle önemli bir aktif ve başarılı yaşlanma stratejisi olduğu söylenebilir. Kırsal alanlarda fiziksel aktiviteyi ve sosyal katılımı artırma konusunda yerel yönetimlere önemli görevler düşmektedir.
Türkiye, like many other countries, is experiencing rapid aging of its population. As individuals age, they undergo various physical, mental, and social changes. Managing these changes effectively becomes crucial to address the challenges associated with aging. One significant aspect of this challenge is the lack of quality leisure activities, particularly for aging adults. Physical activity has emerged as a critical component of leisure assessment among aging individuals, as studies indicate its correlation with health status and well-being in the aging population. Research has consistently linked low levels of physical activity in adults aged 50 years and above with an increased risk of falls, cognitive decline, mental disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders (Caristia et al., 2021; Gallardo-Gómez et al., 2022; Ohrnberger, Fichera, & Sutton, 2017; Stephan et al., 2021; Nawrocka et al., 2019).
Despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity, a significant portion of the aging population tends to lead sedentary lifestyles (Watson et al., 2016). Concepts such as active and successful aging underscore the importance of physical activity and social participation throughout the lifespan. Studies have shown that maintaining physical activity in the middle and older age significantly contributes to successful aging (Lin et al., 2020; Baker et al., 2009; Liffiton et al., 2012). Physical activity not only enhances physiological and cognitive functions but also improves subjective well-being (Kanning & Schlicht, 2008). It serves as an intervention to promote active aging (Bauman et al., 2016), including lifestyle strategies that safeguard both physical and mental health (Mendoza-Ruvalcaba & Arias Merino, 2015). Thus, raising awareness about the health benefits of physical activity is necessary to support active and successful aging processes. It is imperative to provide opportunities and allocate time for activities that facilitate physical activity and social engagement among aging adults.
It is a contentious issue whether aging in rural areas offers more advantages or disadvantages in terms of opportunities for active and successful aging (Carver et al., 2018; Ulfa and Sartika, 2019). Studies have shown that the existence of disadvantages in rural infrastructure, such as limited access to health, education, transport, and social services, pose a significant risk to active and successful aging (Bull et al., 2001; Saenz et al., 2018; Weden et al., 2018). Conversely, urban areas tend to have better-developed services tailored to different age groups because of higher population densities.
In Türkiye, the urban population outweighs the rural population, resulting in most services being planned with urban residents in mind. However, a substantial demographic shift from rural to urban areas has occurred due to urbanization, leaving a significant portion of the older population residing in rural areas (Çam et al., 2021). Statistics indicate that the proportion of older individuals aged 65 years and above is notably higher in rural areas (10.3%) than in urban areas (5.6%) (Öztürk, 2015). According to TUIK (2023), 30.1% of individuals aged 65 years and above reside in rural areas. Unfortunately, no official data are available regarding the proportion of individuals aged 50–60 residing in such areas. The older population in rural areas faces significant disadvantages in many areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, housing, and access to social services. These challenges not only have a negative impact on the living standards of aging adults but also pose obstacles to their pursuit of active and fulfilling aging (Evans, 2009; Ding et al., 2020). Considering these circumstances, there is a pressing need to extend healthcare, social activities, and cultural services tailored to the unique needs of aging adults in rural areas.
A comprehensive review of the existing literature underscores the need to foster sustainable practices that promote active and successful aging in rural areas. Bocce emerges as a promising avenue for advancing these objectives, given its capacity to stimulate physical activity and foster social engagement. In furtherance of this notion, a bocce tournament was organized in Haymana, a rural town situated in Ankara. The research endeavor, “How does bocce activity influence the process of active and successful aging among aging adults?” seeks to answer the main question.
Method
This study adopted a phenomenological approach for its qualitative research design. Data collection was facilitated through interviews using a semi-structured interview format. Ten participants, comprising individuals who participated in the bocce game event organized to promote active and successful aging in the Haymana district of Ankara, volunteered to be interviewed.
Consistent with ethical guidelines, interviews were recorded with the participant’s consent, subsequently analyzed, and transcribed into a computerized format. Frame themes were established by the researchers through a comprehensive literature review and the use of a semi-structured interview format. Following multiple readings of the interview transcripts, the researchers independently coded the data, categorized them under the frame themes, and further divided them into themes using thematic analysis techniques. To ensure the validity and reliability of the findings, a Cappa analysis was conducted, yielding a matching score of 100%. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 10.0 software for data interpretation. Subsequently, the research findings were scrutinized by a qualitative research expert to avoid potential biases and enhance credibility.
Results
The demographic analysis revealed that a total of 10 participants, comprising four women and six men, were interviewed. The age range spanned from 51 to 59 years, with an average age of 54.2 years. All participants were married. Regarding educational attainment, three participants had completed primary school, one had completed secondary school, four were high school graduates, and two held university degrees. In addition, all participants were employed, with five working as laborers, three as master trainers, and two as managers. Six participants were residents of Haymana, with four having lived in the area for over twenty-five years.
Qualitative findings were structured into four main themes: perceptions of bocce game activity, perspectives on active and successful aging, the role of bocce in supporting active and successful aging, and expectations from institutional entities. Participants reminisced about their childhood marble games when engaging in bocce and stated that it reminded them of their youthful days. The fact that bocce reminded them of the marble game they played frequently in their childhood and that they played bocce with their peers aroused positive emotions in the participants.
The research findings show that individual interpretations of active and successful aging include physical activity, healthy aging, social engagement, and independence from care in advanced ages. Living in rural areas offers advantages such as access to clean air and water, organic food, gardening opportunities, and convenient access to social and cultural events, which are particularly beneficial for men. However, rural dwellers, especially women, face challenges such as limited access to certain opportunities and social activities compared with urban residents. Another significant finding is the gender disparity in active and successful aging practices, with women in rural areas experiencing more pronounced limitations than men.
Nonetheless, participation in bocce games has been observed to positively impact physical, mental, and social well-being, significantly raising awareness of active and successful aging in rural areas.
The participants generally expect institutions to organize sports activities with a focus on physical activity and design walking areas suitable for the aging adults. In addition, they expressed a desire for institutes to plan social activities and nature trips. An important expectation is the expansion of areas where women can socialize outside their homes.
Discussion and Conclusion
The increasing rate of the older population is a phenomenon of global significance. With advancing age, individuals undergo biological, psychological, and social transformations, often leading to challenges among aging adults. Chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and social disparities are crucial points that attract the attention of gerontologists and professionals in the field of aging. Strategies promoting active and successful aging are crucial for facilitating a positive aging experience and minimizing associated challenges. Addressing the needs of aging adults in the rural areas of Turkey is crucial. Efforts should be directed toward providing services tailored to foster active and successful aging in these regions. By alleviating poverty and enhancing accessibility to healthcare and support services through preventive measures, significant advancements can be made. In addition, preventive measures play an important role in fostering health and promoting active and successful aging. Thus, supporting physical activity and social participation is fundamental in promoting an active and successful aging process. Consequently, this study addresses the following central question: “How does bocce game activity affect the active and successful aging process of aging adults?” In sum, it can be concluded that bocce has emerged as a significant strategy for promoting active and successful aging, as it fosters increased participation in physical activity and can be played with pleasure irrespective of age and gender.
