PILATES FOR ELDERLY: EXPERIENCE IN THE UNIVERSITY PROGRAMME FOR OLD AGE PEOPLE AT UNIVERSITY OF VIGO

Introduction:
The University of Vigo (UVigo) has a learning project developed for old age people: University programme for people older than 55 years (UP>55). Both authors have been participating in such programme since 2016-2017 with the subject Pilates for old people, a subject included in the Intensive Cycle of UP>55.

Objective:
To present the follow-up students’ assessment (two academic courses) on the learning experience with the subject.

Method:
Once the subject finishes, an ad hoc assessment questionnaire is available for students. The questionnaire has 32 closed-questions (on general data, learning process, lecturers, organization and teaching methodology, work done and its difficulty, evaluation and general vision on the subject and its lecturers) and 5 opened-questions.

Results:
16 students answered the questionnaire (13 women, 81,25%) of 21 possible. Main data: 15/16 attended more than 75% of classes; 8/16 dedicated between 2-3 hours per week to study the subject and 12/16 practiced Pilates’ exercises between 2-3 hours per week. 15/16 students indicated the subject was interesting, that they could learn value things, that their interest by the subject had improved, that explanations given were clear, that lecturers were accessible, that questions had been solved by the lecturers, that both lecturers were coordinated, widespread satisfaction with teaching material, the relation between theory and practice, the employed methodology, and lecturers. The main aspect to be improved: increasing the hours of the subject (7/16).

Conclusions:
The experience during the past two academic years in UP>55 at UVigo have produced benefits for both parts, lecturers and students. It seems that intended objectives for a university programme for old age people have been achieved: providing incentives to train lifelong, to improve cross-generational relationship, and students’ social and personal development.