Members of the 1968 generation, known in Germany as the ‘68ers, are now getting on in years and need to keep fit. A project involving students of sport at the University of Bremen has come up with some innovative ideas to keep the 50-plus generation moving and join in physical exercise: Disco music to get the children of rock and pop culture back into the swing of things.
Led by sports academic, Dr. Monika Thiele, the Bremen students decided to bypass conventional wisdom and theories about exercise for ageing persons and the beaten path of “sport for senior citizens”. When designing exercise programs for the generation between 50 and 80 it makes sense to take into account their historical, political and cultural experiences. Body experience – not only in old age – is not merely a matter of the physical: It is part of life lived. This is the idea behind exercise to disco music for the generation that was shaped by rock and pop, and the disco events held in the Altes Fundamt, which used to be Bremen's lost property office.
Rolling Stones instead of folk music
As opposed to the generations before them, not all members of the 68er-Generation are fans of TV folk music shows. Even though they may have become a little unsteady on their pins, most of them still have a strong political awareness. We are talking about the critical generation inspired the Stones, the Beatles, the Animals, The Who, Genesis... Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix, and Joan Baez. To get this section of the ageing population onto their feet one first has to abandon the clichés shared by many of the mostly young planners and medical staff. The disco idea has certainly turned out to be a great success with the ageing target group, who stress that it’s just what they are in need of – exercise and communication. The guests in the Altes Fundamt were set in motion by a total of 13 musicians who - like in the old times - performed rock, soul and blues music.
If you would like to have some more information, please contact:
University of Bremen
Faculty Cultural Studies
Institut für Sportwissenschaften
Dr. Monika Thiele
Phone: 0421 218 67885
email: mothieleprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de