Sant Julià de Lòria Celebrates World Physical Activity Day with Intergenerational School and Nursing Home Gathering

Sant Julià de Lòria parish celebrated World Physical Activity Day on Tuesday with an intergenerational gathering at the LAUesport facility, uniting third-year pupils from the local Andorran and French primary schools with residents from the Lòria nursing home.

The parish council organised the event to blend exercise, games and socialising, aiming to build healthier routines and closer generational links. While the annual event has long focused on seniors, this year officials added schoolchildren for a shared experience. Social councillor Eva Ramos said her department viewed it as a timely step. She noted that children initially struggled but soon joined in actively, assisting adults during movement-based traditional games like passing under a rope.

Mixed-age groups started with an upbeat musical warm-up before splitting for collaborative challenges. Ramos highlighted natural interactions, including cases where grandchildren and grandparents encountered each other without being paired, calling it a positive sign of everyday mixing. "They're having a great time," she observed.

The initiative offered clear health gains for both groups. For less mobile seniors—some of whom already attend aqua gym or guided sessions—the group dynamic encouraged participation and mobility. Children benefited from positive engagement with elders, which Ramos called enriching. She indicated interest in repeating the format, describing intergenerational activities as an untapped strength for the parish.

A educational health component involved the Andorran Health Care Service (SAAS) and LauEsport staff measuring seniors' vital signs before and after activities. Results showed benefits such as better heart rates and reduced blood sugar levels, allowing participants to see exercise effects firsthand. Ramos described the outcomes as evidently positive across the board.