This descriptive and exploratory study aims to present and discuss physical activity programs for the elderly in different contexts. It focuses on 8 physical activity programs for the elderly: Florianópolis - Brazil; Porto and Coimbra - Portugal; Oleiros and Galicia - Spain; Terranuova and Bracciolini - Italy and Maisach - Germany. Data collection was performed through interviews, field observation, and published material from each one of the programs. With the exception of Brazil, all the programs are supported by their respective City Halls. The elderly who participate in them have emphasized in the interviews their health improvement, more new friends, and leisure opportunities. Based on the observed data, we have prepared a directive proposal of programs and actions on the public policy level for the County of Florianópolis, in the form of an articulated network among different public administration sectors, in order to develop coordinated physical activities to promote healthy aging.
Motor activity; Aged; Public policies
