The forest as a health-promoting place—the meaning for seniors of playing padel in the forest: a qualitative study

PURPOSE: There is evidence of a clear connection between health and exposure to nature; however, many older people today miss out on the opportunities offered by the forest. The purpose of this study is therefore to describe and understand the meaning for seniors (aged 65 years or older) of playing padel at a court located in the forest. METHOD: Interviews with eight seniors who had played padel in the forest. The methodological and interpretation framework was based on Gadamer's hermeneutic philosophy. DISCUSSION: There is a mutual dependence between activity and place, and playing padel in the forest reveals an awareness of one's own basic values, the values that give meaning to life, which can constitute motives for one's own, others and the forest's health and wellbeing, as nature and humans are seen as a wholeness. These values and motives form one's energy source for health-promoting actions.