Achieving the Impossible? Empowerment-based Learning to Enhance Health and Capacity of Mature Learners

Taking part in physical activities is beneficial to older people. Previous research has demonstrated that for older people, participation in physical activities help improve physical fitness and functional capacity, reduce risk of chronic conditions or diseases and 40 disease-related disability, increase life expectancy, and lower risk of early mortality. Yet there is a misperception that older people are generally weak and frail, requiring special attention and care when activities are designed and organized. This research aims to examine the use of outdoor intensive physical activities as an approach to empower the physical, mental, and social capacity of older people. The study’s objective was to examine the health and wellbeing outcomes of participants who took part in a specially designed intensive outdoor physical activity program. A quasi-experimental before-after design was used to measure the changes of all the 21 participants in various health and wellbeing aspects. Qualitative face-to-face interviews were also conducted with 17 participants after the program to examine their experience and perceived impact of taking part in this intensive physical activity program. The results of all the 21 participants have indicated that after participating in the intensive outdoor physical activity program, self-rated physical health was significantly improved for participants with a post-secondary education level but decreased for those with secondary and below level education. Perception of self-image has also significantly enhanced for those who live in public and subsidized housing, not for their counterparts living in private housing. Most of the participants who completed the qualitative interviews reported benefiting from an embodiment of team spirit, forming bonds with others, and acquiring new skills from taking part in the outdoor physical activity. Other key benefits included achieving unfulfilled wishes, enjoying beautiful scenic environments, gaining confidence, and having a new experience. Qualitative data also showed major shifts in participants’ perspectives after the outdoor physical activity. Participants reported changes on perspectives regarding their plans for future, self-efficacy, connection with others, possession of materials, and personality.