PERCEPTIONS ABOUT A SERVICE-LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN A CENTER FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE FIELD OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Research has shown the physical, social, and emotional benefits of regular physical activity at any age. This study constitutes a proposal for innovation and educational research, whose main purpose is to be able to contribute to the maintenance of physical condition and the acquisition of professional skills through a service -learning experience, carried out by students from Tenerife. A socio -sports meeting was organized that consisted of the joint design and implementation of a physical activity session between students and the elderly of the day stay center. It is a cualitative design through the application of a questionnaire with open and closed questions, a focus group, and two interviews. The results point towards an improvement in personal and social responsibilities, and the overcoming of social stereotypes by the students. It concludes by highlighting the need to further implement service -learning to generate habits of practicing physical activity as an indicator of contribution and social wellness.