Population ageing is one of the most significant demographic challenges of our time. As life expectancy continues to increase, promoting autonomy, functional capacity, and quality of life among older adults has become a public health priority. In this context, physical activity is widely recognised as one of the most effective strategies for supporting healthy ageing and maintaining independence throughout later life.
The Active Ageing Communities Project
To help address this challenge, the Active Ageing Communities (AAC) project was launched by EuropeActive in 2022.
Developed by experts from the University of Southern Denmark, AAC was designed as an innovative community-based intervention delivered through fitness clubs across six European countries. The programme combined exercise, behavioural support, social engagement and educational activities to help older adults adopt and maintain an active lifestyle. Check out the AAC Good Practice Guide to get inspired by the AAC programme!
While the European project has now concluded, its impact continues. In Portugal, two fitness operators that participated in AAC have successfully integrated its principles into long-term programmes that continue to benefit older adults today.
Solinca's +Activo Programme: Building Communities Through Healthy Ageing
Inspired by the lessons learned through AAC, Solinca developed the +Activo Programme, a dedicated initiative for adults aged 65 and over.
The programme was first implemented in 2023 through a pilot project at Solinca Dragão and Solinca Viana do Castelo. Its objective was to create a structured and scalable model capable of promoting active ageing through an integrated approach based on three pillars: physical exercise, health education, and social engagement.
Physical exercise is at the core of the programme. Participants attend three supervised sessions per week, combining cardiovascular training, strength development, balance exercises, and mobility and flexibility work. Sessions are delivered by qualified Exercise Physiologists and adapted to individual needs while preserving the benefits of group-based exercise.
A key feature of +Activo is its comprehensive assessment process. Before joining the programme, participants completed a detailed evaluation including health history, body composition, vital signs, and functional fitness testing. Assessments such as the Six-Minute Walk Test, the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test, and the Timed Up and Go Test were used to monitor progress and support individualised exercise prescription throughout participation.
Beyond exercise, the programme incorporates educational activities focused on healthy lifestyles, fall prevention, chronic disease management, mobility, and healthy ageing. These initiatives aimed to improve health literacy and empower participants to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
Social engagement is equally important. By creating regular opportunities for interaction and mutual support, the programme helps strengthen social connections and foster a sense of community among participants, addressing an important determinant of healthy ageing that is often overlooked.
The implementation of +Activo demonstrates that fitness clubs can play a meaningful role in public health by delivering evidence-based programmes that support healthy ageing. More than a fitness initiative, +Activo shows how exercise, education, and social connection can work together to help older adults maintain autonomy, independence, and quality of life as they age.
Gym Tónico Wellness Center: A Multidisciplinary Model for Active Ageing
In Braga, Gym Tónico Wellness Center has taken the AAC approach further by developing a comprehensive Active Ageing Programme delivered through a multidisciplinary partnership.
Alongside Gym Tónico, the initiative brings together FisioSaúde, the Instituto Cardiovascular de Braga (ICB) and home-care provider Abraços & Mimos.
The main objective of this partnership is to help the new generation of older adults (60+) remain active, independent and engaged within their own homes and communities for as long as possible, avoiding, whenever feasible, the often difficult decision of institutionalisation.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
The professionals at Abraços & Mimos—including therapists, physicians, psychologists and social workers—provide home-based services that help older adults maintain their independence while supporting both physical and mental wellbeing in a safe and familiar environment.
Their intervention also encourages participants to leave their homes and engage with the community by facilitating access to exercise programmes specifically adapted to their needs and delivered in a fitness environment.
However, many participants have little or no history of regular physical activity. For this reason, every individual undergoes a comprehensive clinical assessment before beginning any exercise programme, with particular attention given to cardiovascular health.
Screening is especially important for individuals with diabetes, multiple cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac symptoms, a family history of heart disease or premature sudden death. Nevertheless, it is also recommended for individuals who may appear to be at lower risk but are about to begin or resume physical activity.
The cardiology team at ICB performs this assessment, supported by cardiovascular diagnostic testing, including:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Exercise stress test
- Echocardiogram
Based on the cardiovascular risk profile identified, individual exercise goals, limitations and safety parameters are established.
Functional Assessment and Exercise Prescription
Following medical clearance, participants undergo a comprehensive musculoskeletal and functional assessment conducted jointly by the physiotherapists of FisioSaúde and the Exercise Professionals from Gym Tónico Wellness Center.
This assessment includes:
- Range of motion evaluation
- Neurological and orthopaedic screening
- Coordination assessment
- Balance testing
Using both the clinical reports provided by ICB and the functional assessment findings, the multidisciplinary team designs an individualised exercise programme for each participant.
The primary goals are not only to maintain and improve physical capacities such as strength, endurance, balance and mobility, but also to promote cognitive stimulation and social interaction.
Memory-based activities, group exercise sessions and community engagement are incorporated whenever appropriate.
Whether exercise takes place on land or in water, all training variables are carefully adjusted to each participant's abilities and needs. For some individuals, one-to-one sessions are recommended initially before progressing to group-based activities and adopting a more active lifestyle.
Nutrition as Part of the Solution
Because physical activity and nutrition must work together to support healthy ageing, the nutrition team at FisioSaúde develops personalised nutritional plans aligned with each participant's goals and exercise programme.
This process includes:
- Medical history review
- Body composition assessment
- Analysis of body fat percentage and fat mass
- Muscle mass evaluation
- Hydration status
- Visceral fat assessment
- Waist circumference measurement
- Detailed dietary assessment
The objective is to ensure that nutrition supports both health outcomes and functional independence.
Beyond Exercise
The value of this partnership extends far beyond physical activity.
By combining healthcare, exercise, nutrition, cognitive stimulation and social engagement, the programme helps older adults remain physically active, mentally stimulated and socially connected. It reduces isolation, promotes healthier lifestyles and contributes to a more active, independent and fulfilling ageing process.
Programme Activities
The Active Ageing Programme includes:
- Professionally supervised outdoor activities such as walking programmes, as well as gym-based activities including resistance training, swimming, aquatic exercise and group fitness classes.
- Individualised exercise programmes prioritising muscular strength, endurance, balance, mobility and proprioception.
- Cognitive stimulation activities, including memory exercises, puzzles and reading programmes.
- Social engagement initiatives such as discussion groups, cultural events and arts and crafts workshops.
- Healthy cooking and nutrition workshops promoting informed food choices and practical culinary skills.
- Outdoor excursions and visits to parks, gardens and local points of interest.
A Model for the Future
The experiences of Solinca and Gym Tónico demonstrate the lasting value of the Active Ageing Communities project and the broader role that fitness clubs can play in society.
These initiatives show how fitness clubs can evolve beyond traditional exercise facilities to become genuine health promotion hubs that support autonomy, independence and quality of life throughout the ageing process.
The legacy of AAC therefore extends beyond the hundreds of participants reached during the project itself. It lives on through the sustainable programmes it inspired: initiatives that continue to help older adults live healthier, more active and more connected lives.
