Social-LCA. Methodological Proposal Applied to Physical Activity Program Implementation into Old People’s Routines

Francisco Javier Flor-Montalvo,Leandro Álvarez-Kurogi,Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz,Agustín Sánchez-Toledo Ledesma

doi:10.3390/su12124965

Francisco Javier Flor-Montalvo, Leandro Álvarez-Kurogi + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124965

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Abstract

Progressive population aging and life expectancy increase in Spain, resulting from medical and social improvements, have put this population segment in a privileged position for the implementation of new methodologies aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly. Social life cycle analysis (S-LCA) is a widely studied technique to evaluate the social and environmental impacts generated by a product, service, or process. Throughout this paper, S-LCA is applied to the implementation of physical activity programs in routines for older people, allowing a complete evaluation of the impact of such activities. From this study, it is deduced that the execution phase of the program is the one that causes the most positive impact. Design and programming have a much more notable impact than expected. With regard to the involved categories, the user is the greatest beneficiary of the implementation of these programs, although the local community and administration are other interest groups that will highly benefit, although the impact will be much less than in the case of users.

Highlights

Throughout the 20th century, there have been significant demographic changes resulting from medical and social improvements, as well as cultural changes
While at the beginning of the 20th century, the population over 65 years old was less than 5.3%, in the 1970s, it reached 10%, and it is close to 16%
The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact, both positive and negative, that the implementation of physical activity programs in routines for older people generates in the different stakeholders that are affected

Summary

Introduction

Throughout the 20th century, there have been significant demographic changes resulting from medical and social improvements, as well as cultural changes. While at the beginning of the 20th century, the population over 65 years old was less than 5.3%, in the 1970s, it reached 10%, and it is close to 16%. These data place Spain as the fourth oldest country in the world, it is the second oldest in terms of population aging [1]. It should be noted that the group with the highest level of sedentariness is between 65 and 74 years of age. Males are the most sedentary in all age groups, except for those aged 45–64 years. It is important to note that this difference increases with age

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