Improving Sports and Recreation Services in Mashhad for Elderly and Intergenerational Interaction (ESPIRE-M)

This interventional study aims to design strategies to improve service quality and productivity in recreational sports facilities in Mashhad Municipality, focusing on creating an age-friendly city. The research consists of two parts: fieldwork and an experimental section.

Field Section:

1. Assess seniors' perceptions of services using the SERVQUAL questionnaire and other tools.
2. Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to elderly sports participation.

Experimental Section:

Evaluate the impact of intergenerational sports activities on elderly participants (aged 60+). Participants were paired with younger individuals and randomly allocated to five groups, including a control group.

Group Tasks:

* Control Group: 78 seniors continued daily routines without structured activities.
* Experimental Groups:

  1. Non-sport intergenerational interaction sessions (90 minutes, 3x/week).
  2. Intergenerational yoga sessions (90 minutes, 3x/week).
  3. Light aerobic exercises + group discussions (90 minutes, 3x/week).
  4. Non-exercise intergenerational sessions in a park (90 minutes, 3x/week).
  5. Non-exercise intergenerational sessions in a nursing home (90 minutes, 3x/week).

     Field Study Sample:
* 384 customers of Mashhad Municipality sports facilities (192 women, 192 men).

Key Notes:

* Elderly participants were selected through cluster sampling; younger participants were purposively sampled from Mashhad's Islamic Azad University.
* Gender balance (50% women, 50% men) was maintained in all groups.

Main Questions:

1. How do service quality factors influence customers of Mashhad Municipality sports facilities?
2. Do intergenerational programs improve quality of life, health, and well-being for seniors?
3. What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for elderly sports participation?
4. What strategies can enhance elderly participation in sports?

1. Data Collection Instruments

The following questionnaires will be utilized to achieve the research objectives:

1. Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire: Includes variables such as age, gender, marital status, income, education level, occupation, and number of children.
2. Socio-economic Status Questionnaire: Assesses various dimensions of socio-economic status.
3. World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire: Measures quality of life based on established criteria.
4. Elderly Depression Questionnaire: Assesses depression levels among elderly participants.
5. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28): A self-administered tool examining overall health, focusing on non-psychotic disorders.
6. Parent-Child Relationship Scale: Evaluates the dynamics of relationships between parents and their children.
7. Student Depression Questionnaire: Measures depression levels among university students.
8. Service Quality Questionnaire: Assesses the quality of services provided.
9. Facility Checklist and Productivity Index Checklist: Tools for evaluating facility conditions and efficiency.
10. World Health Organization Age-Friendly City Criteria Questionnaire: Assesses compliance with age-friendly city standards.

2. Study Population and Sample Selection

The study population includes two groups:

* Elderly Participants: Individuals aged 60 years and older residing in Mashhad. Recruitment will occur through public announcements and notices in locations such as parks and mosques, aiming to enroll 150 elderly individuals using purposive and convenient sampling.
* Young Participants: Students aged 20 to 24 years enrolled at Islamic Azad University. A total of 100 students (50 male, 50 female) will be recruited through public announcements and notices posted in all faculties during the academic year 2017-2018.

After collecting demographic data and completing questionnaires, elderly participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: two experimental groups and one control group. The sample size is based on experimental research designs, with a larger number selected to enhance generalizability and reduce dropout rates.

3. Limitations of the Study

* Lack of accurate data on the number of active elderly individuals and their participation levels in regular sports activities.
* Cultural barriers limiting women's participation in community activities.
* Limited access to organizations specializing in elderly issues, restricting the ability to obtain a representative sample.

  4. Ethical Considerations
* Participants will be informed about the study's objectives and methodology before participation.
* Informed consent will be obtained from all participants.
* Confidentiality of personal information will be maintained.
* Private interpretations of results will be offered to interested individuals.
* No financial burden will be imposed on participants.
* The study will comply with religious and cultural standards relevant to participants and the broader community.

Eligibility Criteria:
Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Elderly Participants:

Aged 60 years or older.

Ability to engage in physical activities.

Absence of sensory or motor disabilities.

No use of antidepressant medications.

No history of conditions such as Alzheimer's or other illnesses that could pose risks during exercise.

Younger Participants:

Aged 20 to 24 years.

Unmarried.

Living with their parents.

Native residents of Mashhad.

Exclusion Criteria:

Irregular attendance (more than two absences).

Physical or psychological issues hindering participation.

Lack of willingness to continue.