Older Men in Motion: Bodies, Masculinities, and Redefinition of Identity

Gustavo González-Calvo ^1* Alfonso García-Monge ^1* André Ramalho ^2,3* Faten Hamdi ^4* Pedro Alexandre Duarte-Mendes ^2,3*

• ¹ Departamento de Didáctica de la Expresión Musical, Plástica y Corporal. Research Group Embodied Education. Universidad de Valladolid, Spain, Valladolid, Spain
• ² Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal
• ³ Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (SPRINT), Santarém, Portugal
• ⁴ High Institute of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jendouba, Kef, Tunisia

This study examines the interplay between physical exercise, masculinity, and aging in older adults, exploring how these dynamics shape identity and bodily experiences. Using semi-structured interviews with 12 men aged 65 to 76, the study employs narrative thematic analysis to uncover participants' experiences, concerns, and expectations regarding physical activity. The analysis highlights three key themes: the transformative role of exercise in fostering emotional well-being and bodily awareness, the renegotiation of traditional masculinity through non-traditional physical activities, and the social connections fostered by group-based exercises. Findings emphasize that physical activity is not only crucial for maintaining health but also serves as a space for identity reconstruction and resistance to deficit-based narratives of aging. The study also identifies social and structural barriers, such as access to facilities and economic constraints, which limit participation. These insights highlight the need for inclusive public health policies and tailored interventions to support active aging. Aging is reframed as a process of adaptation and opportunity, countering societal narratives that frame it solely as decline. light on how older adults negotiate the aging process, focusing on their capacity for adaptation, identity renegotiation, and meaningful engagement with the world around them.For older men, this transformative view of aging intersects with the complexities of masculinity. Masculinity, as a socially constructed identity, evolves over the life course, shaped by cultural expectations, generational norms, and personal experiences. Physical activity, in this context, emerges not only as a tool for maintaining health and well-being but also as a significant arena for older men to reconstruct their understanding of masculinity. By engaging in physical activity, older men can challenge traditional gender norms that emphasize dominance, physical strength, and competitiveness, instead embracing practices that prioritize emotional well-being, social connection, and self-care. This shift reflects a broader societal trend toward reimagining masculinity as a more fluid and inclusive construct (Gough & Robertson, 2010).