We lead with impact: We develop sports facilities and services in a knowledge-based manner

Several pilot studies have been carried out at the Sports and Exercise Unit, the results of which guide the planning of the activities and the related decision-making. Espoo has been implementing an impact-based management programme in cooperation with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland since 2019.

In 2023 and 2024, we have examined the impact of the +68 Sports Wristband and the related friend service on the well-being of senior citizens and the factors affecting the use of outdoor gyms.

Espoo residents can see the results in a concrete manner. The results of the user survey of outdoor gyms have been used to select the location and equipment for the new outdoor gym in Juvanpuisto. Based on residents’ wishes, we organised an outdoor gym tour in summer 2024, during which our sports instructors toured different outdoor gyms to provide guidance.

Next, we will examine the impacts of the Leiki ja liiku activities on physical education of children in early childhood education and care (ECEC). The aim is to increase children’s activeness during their day at the ECEC unit and to support their development in a diverse manner. The activities develop children’s physical, motor, social and cognitive skills.

The +68 Sports Wristband allows the user to access Espoo’s swimming pools, gyms, guided gym equipment training, senior exercise groups and courses, and use archipelago boats free of charge. Wristband users can bring along an adult friend to swimming pools, gyms and archipelago boats free of charge if they are training or exercising independently.

In addition to the number of visitors to sports facilities and services, we also surveyed experiences of the +68 Sports Wristband and its impact. We conducted a survey of approximately one year and collected responses in June 2023, November 2023 and April 2024.

The survey participants were divided into three groups. Participants in the base group did not use the senior sports wristband or the included friend service. Participants in the first control group received only the wristband, and those in the second control group had access to both the wristband and the friend service.

The results help to better understand the needs and wishes of senior residents regarding sports services. They help us plan the necessary measures, such as guidelines, that support the well-being of and an active lifestyle for senior citizens. We also received good data on what kind of physical activity they engage in together with a friend.

Use of the sports wristband and exercise friend:

• Approximately 70% of the subjects in the control groups have used the sports wristband, and almost half of them used the wristband every week. Fewer uses were often justified by exercising in other ways or not having enough time.
• 40% of group 2 has used the friend service. Reasons for fewer uses included issues with schedules and the friend’s lack of interest.
  • Three out of four of those who used the friend service used the service in swimming pools. Approximately half of those using the friend service took a friend along on an archipelago boat trip and one in three to the gym.
  • Those who did not utilise the friend service mostly justified their decision by saying that there was no need for the service or that they had scheduling problems with their friend. On the other hand, the lack of a suitable friend was also a significant reason for not using the service.
• The exercise friend was often the same person, most often their spouse, a friend or their child.

Quality of life, health and functional capacity:

• Almost 90% of Espoo seniors who participated in the survey feel that their quality of life is very good or good. More than 90% are satisfied with their functional capacity and more than 80% with their health.
• People who used the sports wristband weekly often had a better quality of life than those who used it less often.
• Almost 80% are satisfied with their physical activity.
• Almost 70% of those that used the sports wristband feel that their physical activity and well-being have increased because of the wristband.
• The weekly use of the sports wristband is clearly linked to meeting the recommendations for physical exercise. For those who used the wristband at least weekly, the recommendation for physical exercise were met more often than for those who used the wristband less frequently.

Types of sports:

• The most popular sports among seniors were walking, bicycling, swimming and water sports as well as gym and strength training.
• The share of swimming and water sports enthusiasts increased among wristband users in the first follow-up survey but returned to the initial level in the second follow-up survey. Seasonal variation probably contributes to this difference.
• Among those that were given a wristband, gym and strength training increased significantly (approximately 20%) if they had access to the friend service.
• More than 80% of sports wristband users have used the wristband in an indoor swimming pool and/or outdoor swimming pool, more than 40% in gyms and around 30% in archipelago boats. 

There are already 28 outdoor gyms in Espoo in summer 2024, and some of them are equipped with user counters. This makes it possible to monitor their utilisation rate and the use of different equipment.

We conducted a survey on outdoor gyms in June-September 2023. A Webropol form was used to collect responses. QR codes linked to the survey were placed in outdoor gyms and swimming pools in Espoo. The link was shared on Espoo’s website and social media channels.

A total of 613 people responded to the survey. 37% of the respondents were men, 62% women and 1% others. The largest age groups were 35–44 (31%) and 45–54 (24%)

The aim of the user survey of outdoor gyms was to determine who are the main users of outdoor gyms and what factors affect the use of outdoor gyms. We also asked residents about their wishes for outdoor gyms and what would lower the threshold for using outdoor gyms.

Use of outdoor gyms

• 74% of the respondents had used an outdoor gym in the past six months.
• Outdoor gyms are important for Espoo residents because of the versatile range of equipment and the quality of the equipment.
• Having the equipment close to home and the outdoor environment encouraged people to exercise. Outdoor gyms are used in connection with other outdoor activities, such as jogging, walking a dog or their child’s hobby.
• Users appreciate fresh air, a good view and a calm atmosphere.

Restrictive factors

• The respondents said that their use of outdoor gyms is restricted by factors such as the lack of an outdoor gym nearby, weather conditions and not knowing how to use the equipment.

How to improve outdoor gyms

• The respondents wished for more outdoor gyms in different areas, rain shelters and guided training.
• The respondents wanted equipment for leg press, deadlift, squats and training abdominal muscles.