Generations Active Together: An Example of Using Physical Activity Promotion and Digital Technology to Bring Together Adolescents and Older People in Stirling, Scotland

The Generations Active Together (GAT) program, delivered by Active Stirling in central Scotland, is an intergenerational physical activity (PA) program for adolescents in high school and older adults in care homes and community groups. The Generating Older Active Lives Digitally (GOALD) Research Team sought to use GAT to examine how digital technology developed for the purpose of PA and sports-based reminiscence can be used to improve social connectedness for older adults. This paper details the challenges and successes of delivering the GAT program and describes the differences between in-person pre-pandemic delivery of GAT with the attempted digital delivery during the pandemic. The transferable lessons learned from GAT delivery to GOALD project planning and implementation included, but are not limited to, the importance of in-person activities for both generations and using digital technology as a complementary, rather than a replacement tool for PA delivery. Intergenerational activities focusing on PA involving adolescents and older adults is possible with attention to reciprocal inputs and benefits for all generations and are potentially more effective and easier to deliver in person.Where in-person PA delivery is impossible, digital-only PA is arguably better than no interaction but requires support in setting up technology to deliver PA effectively.Digital technology is likely to be more effective in supporting intergenerational PA when complemented by in-person interactions.Adolescents and older adults in care homes can engage in beneficial interaction, but attention should be paid to school commitments at this age and stage, as well as the practical aspects of travel and scheduling of this kind of contact.