A Belgian organization has begun holding esports competitions for seniors to keep participants active and engaged into their golden years.
Involving seniors from eight nursing homes across Belgium, the friendly competition is part of a broader initiative to discover innovative ways to keep the older population active, healthy and entertained. Created in collaboration with Papy Booom, a nonprofit dedicated to combating senior isolation, the focus of the event is on enjoyment rather than competition, emphasizing the significant health benefits of keeping seniors active and engaged.
The ultimate prize is the opportunity to challenge a team from France later this year.
"They love it. They love it and they want more. They want more and they want to be ready, already for the next edition and they want even to have it more in their facility," said Samy Bessi, vice president of the Belgian Esports Federation.
Papy Booom's efforts extend beyond esports. They recently took a group of seniors to a lively music festival, demonstrating that retirement can be a time filled with joy and activity.
Health experts stress the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily routines as people age.
"When people get older, they should not tend to exercise less, but to exercise more. And the challenge, real challenge is to implement this physical activity and this physical exercise into daily life," said Ivan Bautmans, head of the Frailty in Ageing research group, which studies how resistance training can reduce inflammation and enhance muscle performance in older adults.
Some participants said the study said they have begun to feel better throughout the day.
"I have more strength. I feel fit. I did not lose any weight, which of course was wishful thinking, and I know when you build muscles, you don't lose weight," said a senior who participated in the study.
With forecasts indicating that by 2050 about a quarter of Belgium's population will be over 65, there is a growing emphasis on providing diverse and innovative activities that resonate with seniors, enriching their lives and helping them fight loneliness.
Belgian seniors embrace video games, exercise to enhance wellbeing
