CONSTRAINTS AND FACILITATORS IN ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES IN NATURE:

PERCEPTIONS OF ELDERLY PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

This paper investigated the perceptions of constraints, of facilitators and the motivations, which influence elderly practitioners of adventure activities in nature to continue actively the activities. This is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory field research, carried out through semi-structured interviews. The study included 16 men and six women aged 60 or over, living in the Grande Florianópolis region (SC, Brazil) and practicing one or more types of adventure activities in nature. Changes caused by aging, professional and family commitments and unfavorable weather conditions are the three most reported constraints. Whereas, being with elements of nature, noticing physical benefits, having good physical ability, noticing psychological benefits and having a support network, are the five facilitators most reported by elderly adventure practitioners. In turn, the main motivations refer to psychological and emotional; and social aspects. Physical, socio-emotional, economic and cultural conditions, combined with previous experiences, build the life history of each elderly person, influence the way they see the environment and how they notice themselves in it, as well as the perception of constraints and facilitators in adventure activities in nature.