The InterActive for Life & International Council on Active Aging Partnership Project:
A Function2Flow Inquiry into Joyful Programs & Experiences of Active Aging Education
Exploring Joy and Community Connection in Active Aging
The InterActive for Life (IA4L) researchers and International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) teamed up to generate new knowledge for enhancing Active Aging Education. This SSHRC-funded three-year project was premised on learning from three award-winning senior living communities known for their holistic promotion of wellness;
- Splendido at Rancho Vistoso, Tucson, Arizona (website)
- Sunnyside Communities, Harrisonburg, Virginia (website)
- Chartwell at Victoria Harbour, British Columbia, Canada (website)
What We Did
Following an introduction from the CEO of the ICAA, the IA4L team spent an immersive week in each community where they experienced organized walks, instructor-led group fitness, posture and balance classes, Tai Chi, aquamotion, cardio drumming, yoga and strength-based classes, as well as games such as ping pong, pickleball, or seated volleyball. Following each activity, the researchers invited residents to share what brought them a sense of pleasure or joy in these activities and what kept them engaged and coming back for more.
A total of 29 classes were sampled across the three research sites, with 33 focus groups conducted, and 19 follow-up individual interviews offered to those who had more to say. Observational and interview data of the interactive engagement was analyzed and mobilized into thematic guidelines that were conceptually framed by the Function2Flow model.
What We Learned
Using the interdisciplinary Function2Flow (F2F) model for analysis, we uncovered insights at multiple levels:
- Individual Actions of Movement Joy
- Interpersonal “Inter-Actions” of Movement Joy
- Community-Actions of Movement Joy
Sharing Our Discoveries
Results were shared with an advisory board of representative residents from each community as well as representative organizations with Active for Life aims, namely, Physical & Health Education (PHE) Canada, Sport for Life (S4L), and the International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA) with the aim of receiving practical guidance for knowledge translation and mobilization. Our aim is to help more people around the world engage in joyful Actions, InterActions and Community-Actions across the human lifespan.
Check out some of our featured materials:
Videos
- Joy in active aging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipVLUnMp07A
- Physical activity in wellness communities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9A-rq3TKiM
Upcoming Research Publications:
Refereed Chapters in Books
Lloyd, R., Smith, S., Belalcazar, C. & Milner, C. (2026). Physical Literacy for Older Adults: A Call for Inter-Active Living. In L. Durden-Myers (Ed.), Handbook of Physical Literacy. London: Routledge.
Refereed Journal Articles
Belalcazar, C., Smith, S. J., Lloyd, R. J., & Milner, C. (in progress). Sensing community in senior living physical activity programs. The Journals of Gerontology Series.
Lloyd, R. J., Smith, S. J., Belalcazar, C., & Milner, C. (in progress). Moving joyfully in senior living communities: A function2flow analysis. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 1–39.
Connect with Us!
Explore our resources and discover how communities are fostering joyful, connected, and active lives for older adults, access the resources here. You can also visit our partner, the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), to learn more about the global movement toward healthier, happier aging.