A European project uses indoor rowing to promote health, well-being and inclusion among women aged 50 and over
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Many people associate rowing with elite competition, intense physical effort and top-level athletes. But what if this sport could be the starting point for women aged over 50 to adopt a more active lifestyle and build new social connections? That is the challenge behind ROWACT, an Erasmus Sport-funded project bringing together Portugal, Italy and Slovenia to promote rowing as a tool for health, well-being and inclusion.
José Pedro Guimarães, a lecturer at Lusófona University, believes rowing can transform lives, regardless of age or physical condition. "Rowing is seen as a demanding sport that not everyone can practise, which is completely untrue," he says.
Designed for women aged over 50, the programme focuses on indoor rowing, complemented by multicomponent training, to address common challenges at this stage of life, such as loss of muscle mass, reduced bone density and social isolation. As well as being a low-impact activity with a reduced risk of injury, rowing encourages teamwork and helps participants build meaningful relationships. "We want to create connections, build a community and ensure these habits continue over time," the researcher emphasises.
Beyond the sporting activity itself, the project stands out for its scientific component. The Lusófona University team will be responsible for assessing the impact of the intervention on participants' physical condition, quality of life and emotional well-being, helping to validate a model that could be replicated in other contexts.
With two weekly sessions over several months, ROWACT – Rowing and Wellness through Active Community Training – aims to demonstrate that rowing is far from being a sport reserved for an elite. Its ultimate goal is to leave a lasting legacy: encouraging healthy lifestyle habits that continue beyond the project and showing that it is never too late to discover a sport capable of strengthening the body, tackling social isolation and building a community.
Production / Reporting / Text
Susana A. Oliveira
Camera
Gabriel Motta and Paulo Renato
Editing
Lara Sousa
