Rutas saludables, más allá del ejercicio físico: evaluación de una experiencia en población mayor de Gipuzkoa / Healthy walks, beyond physical exercise: evaluation of an experience in older population from Gipuzkoa (Spain)

INTRODUCCIÓN: En 2011 se impulsó desde la Subdirección de Salud Pública de Gipuzkoa la iniciativa Ttipi-Ttapa para la promoción comunitaria del ejercicio físico en personas mayores mediante rutas saludables en colaboración con ayuntamientos, asociaciones ciudadanas y atención primaria. OBJETIVO: Evaluar desde la perspectiva de los participantes la experiencia Ttipi-Ttapa en el periodo 2012-2017 para identificar los principales aciertos y carencias y compartir propuestas de continuidad y mejora. MÉTODO: Diseño mixto con investigación cualitativa central y encuesta suplementaria a todos los caminantes en salidas en 13 localidades. Test de ji al cuadrado para comparación de porcentajes. En el estudio cualitativo, muestreo intencional con diferentes perfiles de participantes mediante nueve grupos focales y 10 entrevistas individuales. Grabación en audio previo consentimiento. Análisis temático con ayuda de mapas conceptuales y el programa MAXQDA. Triangulación entre investigadores en un contexto de investigación-aprendizaje. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 464 cuestionarios; 64% mujeres y 36% hombres. Edad media 69,8 años y 75% mayores de 65 años. Satisfacción general de 9,05/10, con diferencias significativas a favor de las mujeres, los grupos de mayor edad y las personas viudas. En el estudio cualitativo participaron 43 mujeres y 37 hombres. Se identifican tres áreas temáticas principales a partir de las categorías codificadas y sus solapamientos: a) no solo es caminar; b) organización, valores y personas; y c) claves colaborativas y retos de futuro. CONCLUSIONES: Los beneficios percibidos en salud desbordan el ejercicio físico con implicaciones importantes en la interacción y la cohesión social. La complejidad de los procesos evaluados conlleva exigencias metodológicas, organizativas y colaborativas

INTRODUCTION: In 2011 the Tipi-Tapa initiative was endorsed by the Public Health Department of Gipuzkoa to promote physical exercise through healthy walks in community-dwelling older adults, in collaboration with municipalities, citizens associations and primary care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, from the participants' perspective, the Tipi-Tapa experience during 2012-2017 to identify the main successes and failures and share proposals of continuity and improvement. METHOD: Mixed methods design with a qualitative core component and a supplementary questionnaire to all participants from 13 municipalities. The Chi-squared test was used to compare percentages. In the qualitative study, a purposive sampling was applied considering participants' profiles through nine focus groups and 10 individual interviews. The interviews were audio recorded with previous consent. A thematic analysis was performed using conceptual maps and the MAXQDA software. Triangulation among researchers was done in a research-learning context. RESULTS: We analysed 464 questionnaires; 64% from women and 36% from men. The participants' mean age was 69.8 years; 75% were older than 65 years. The general satisfaction was 9.05/10 with significant differences in favour of women, older age groups and widows. In the qualitative study, 43 women and 37 men participated. Three main thematic areas were identified based on category coding and overlap: a) it is not just walking; b) organization, values and persons; and c) collaborative keystones and future challenges. CONCLUSIONS: The health benefits perceived by participants go beyond physical exercise, with important implications for social interaction and cohesion. The complexity of the processes assessed entails methodological, organizational and collaborative requirements

[Healthy walks, beyond physical exercise: evaluation of an experience in older population from Gipuzkoa (Spain)]. / Rutas saludables, más allá del ejercicio físico: evaluación de una experiencia en población mayor de Gipuzkoa.

INTRODUCTION: In 2011 the Tipi-Tapa initiative was endorsed by the Public Health Department of Gipuzkoa to promote physical exercise through healthy walks in community-dwelling older adults, in collaboration with municipalities, citizens associations and primary care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, from the participants' perspective, the Tipi-Tapa experience during 2012-2017 to identify the main successes and failures and share proposals of continuity and improvement. METHOD: Mixed methods design with a qualitative core component and a supplementary questionnaire to all participants from 13 municipalities. The Chi-squared test was used to compare percentages. In the qualitative study, a purposive sampling was applied considering participants' profiles through nine focus groups and 10 individual interviews. The interviews were audio recorded with previous consent. A thematic analysis was performed using conceptual maps and the MAXQDA software. Triangulation among researchers was done in a research-learning context. RESULTS: We analysed 464 questionnaires; 64% from women and 36% from men. The participants' mean age was 69.8 years; 75% were older than 65 years. The general satisfaction was 9.05/10 with significant differences in favour of women, older age groups and widows. In the qualitative study, 43 women and 37 men participated. Three main thematic areas were identified based on category coding and overlap: a) it is not just walking; b) organization, values and persons; and c) collaborative keystones and future challenges. CONCLUSIONS: The health benefits perceived by participants go beyond physical exercise, with important implications for social interaction and cohesion. The complexity of the processes assessed entails methodological, organizational and collaborative requirements.