Impact of the Vive+ Local Development Project in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality
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Abstract
The Vive+ Local Development Project, born at the University of Physical Culture and Sports Sciences “Manuel Fajardo”, Cuba, aimed to foster relationships among childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age through processes and initiatives of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Physical Culture in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality. The project work began with characterizing the social actors involved in health promotion and therapeutic physical activity, identifying their learning needs, and designing professional development programs and educational technologies. A descriptive cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods approach was conducted (2022-2024). Training gaps were identified in 61 % of sports facility staff. Interventions included a corrective exercise battery for children with postural kyphosis (n = 13), which achieved a reduction in vertebral curvature angle from 48° to 36° over 6 months (postural improvement in 92 %). In older adults (n = 47), results showed an 18 % improvement in joint mobility, a 35 % reduction in pain (VAS scale), and a 40 % increase in recreational participation. A total of 142 social actors were trained in massage workshops, and a wellness center serving 28 000 families was conceived. These outcomes are comparable to or better than those reported by international evidence in similar community-based interventions. This paper has described how the Vive+ Local Development Project has implemented various initiatives aimed at improving the health and quality of life of residents in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality.
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