The Tinajo Local Health Center, a center attached to the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, is developing a pioneering community health project that promotes physical activity among people over 60 years of age through the practice of canarian ball, a traditional sport deeply rooted in the island.
This project responds to the demand of the patients themselves, who showed interest in carrying out group activities linked to their cultural environment. The program has managed to involve 50 people, 30 women and 20 men, and has held two tournaments and five meetings since its launch.
The initiative conceived and led by the local clinic nurse, Yaritza Cejudo, aims to reduce the high sedentary lifestyle that is registered among the elderly population. In the Canary Islands, almost half of the population over 70 years old admits to not engaging in physical activity.
The practice of physical activity is proposed as a key tool to prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or hypertension, in addition to improving mental health, reducing anxiety and depression. On the other hand, it is suggested as an alternative or complement to conventional pharmacological therapy for older adults.
Tradition and health: an effective formula against sedentary lifestyles
The game of Canarian ball as the core of the program constitutes one of the most innovative elements. It is an accessible, low-impact activity adaptable to different physical abilities, which allows working on aspects such as muscle strength, endurance, mobility, and flexibility. Likewise, it contributes to balance and fall prevention, coordination and agility, as well as cardiovascular health and emotional well-being.
Furthermore, by developing in a group, it enhances the creation of social networks, reducing loneliness and reinforcing the feeling of belonging to the community.
Institutional collaboration and community approach
The program has the collaboration of the Tinajo City Council, which provides spaces and resources for its development, consolidating an alliance between the health and community spheres. This coordination has been key to ensuring the continuity and success of the initiative.
Participant recruitment is carried out directly in consultation, complemented by outreach activities in community spaces, and follow-up is integrated into the clinical record through the 'Health Classrooms' program, thus reinforcing the comprehensive approach of the intervention.
An inclusive model with a gender perspective
The program's design also incorporates the gender perspective, promoting the equitable participation of women and men in all activities.
The traditional Canarian ball game not only contributes to improving the physical and emotional health of the participants, but also strengthens the social fabric and preserves the island's cultural heritage.
According to the Director of Primary Care Nursing, Felicidad Béjar, this initiative "is consolidated as an innovative proposal that demonstrates how the proximity of Primary Care and community involvement can generate effective, sustainable interventions with a high impact on the quality of life of older people".