This qualitative research analysed how the pandemic caused by COVID-19 influenced the leisure of older adults who frequent urban public parks in a city in southern Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone with 23 older adults, 16 women and 7 men (≥60 years old), who frequented urban parks before the beginning of the pandemic. The interviews were specifically designed for this research and addressed (a) the participants’ perspectives on the concept of leisure; (b) the influence of COVID-19 on leisure and (c) leisure events and activities during the pandemic. The data was analysed using the content analysis technique. The participants reported that their leisure was affected by COVID-19, mainly due to pandemic-related restrictions which make social, cultural, touristic and physical activities unfeasible and reduced their leisure participation in urban public parks. Furthermore, findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the freedom and autonomy of older adults, and increased inequality, fear and lack of time, resulting in greater leisure constraints. With more time at home and in contact with friends and family, albeit virtually, leisure has been re-defined, denoting different and important configurations for older adults.

这项定性研究分析了由 COVID-19 引起的大流行如何影响经常光顾巴西南部城市城市公园的老年人的休闲活动。通过电话对 23 名老年人进行了半结构化访谈，其中包括 16 名女性和 7 名男性（≥60 岁），他们在大流行开始前经常光顾城市公园。访谈是专门为这项研究设计的，并探讨了 (a) 参与者对休闲概念的看法；(b) COVID-19 对休闲的影响和 (c) 大流行期间的休闲事件和活动。使用内容分析技术分析数据。参与者报告说，他们的休闲受到 COVID-19 的影响，主要是由于与大流行相关的限制，这使得社会、文化、旅游和体育活动不可行，减少了他们在城市公园的休闲参与。此外，研究结果表明，COVID-19 大流行降低了老年人的自由和自主权，加剧了不平等、恐惧和缺乏时间，导致更多的休闲限制。随着更多的时间在家和与朋友和家人的联系，尽管实际上，休闲已被重新定义，代表老年人不同且重要的配置。