The forest as a health-promoting place-the meaning for seniors of playing padel in the forest: a qualitative study.

چکیده اصلی

PURPOSE: There is evidence of a clear connection between health and exposure to nature; however, many older people today miss out on the opportunities offered by the forest. The purpose of this study is therefore to describe and understand the meaning for seniors (aged 65 years or older) of playing padel at a court located in the forest. METHOD: Interviews with eight seniors who had played padel in the forest. The methodological and interpretation framework was based on Gadamer's hermeneutic philosophy. RESULTS: The seniors described that they experienced joy, calmness, connection with nature, meaningful social interaction, and enhanced wellbeing when playing padel in the forest. Four themes with subthemes were identified: Playing padel in the forest brings out the ability to see and feel the underlying beauty in hitting a ball; brings out the ability to actually see and appreciate the existence of the forest; gives a sense of an existing concealed natural healing power in the forest; and gives a sense of belonging. DISCUSSION: There is a mutual dependence between activity and place, and playing padel in the forest reveals an awareness of one's own basic values, the values that give meaning to life, which can constitute motives for one's own, others and the forest's health and wellbeing, as nature and humans are seen as a wholeness. These values and motives form one's energy source for health-promoting actions.

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