ROWACT: Promoting Health and Inclusion Through Rowing with José Pedro Guimarães

Many associate rowing with high-level competition, intense physical exertion, and elite athletes. But what if this sport could be the starting point for women over 50 to adopt a more active lifestyle and build new social connections? That is the challenge of ROWACT.

ROWACT, a project funded by Erasmus Sport, brings together Portugal, Italy, and Slovenia to promote rowing as a tool for health, well-being, and inclusion.

José Pedro Guimarães, a professor at Lusófona University, believes rowing can transform lives regardless of age or physical condition. "Rowing is often viewed as a tough sport that not everyone can practice, which is completely false," he states.

Designed for women over 50, the program focuses on indoor rowing complemented by multi-component training to address common challenges of this life stage, such as muscle mass loss, reduced bone density, and social isolation. Beyond being a low-impact sport with a reduced risk of injury, rowing fosters teamwork and relation-building among participants. "We want to create bonds, build a community, and ensure these habits endure over time," the researcher emphasizes.

In addition to sports practice, the project stands out for its scientific component. The team from Lusófona University will be responsible for evaluating the impact of the intervention on participants' physical condition, quality of life, and emotional well-being, helping to validate a model that can be replicated in other contexts.

With two weekly sessions over several months, ROWACT – Rowing and Wellness through Active Community Training – aims to prove that rowing is far from being a sport reserved for the elite. The true goal is to leave a legacy: creating healthy lifestyle habits that last beyond the project and showing that it is never too late to discover a sport capable of strengthening the body, combating isolation, and building a community.