Active Aging Through Sports Participation
Summary
Active ageing through sports participation encompasses the sustained engagement of older adults in organised or informal sports as a means to promote physical health, cognitive vitality and social well-being throughout later life. This paradigm recognises that age-related declines in muscle strength, balance and aerobic capacity can be mitigated by tailored sporting activities that offer progressive challenge, skill development and community support. Key components include maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness, preservation of musculoskeletal integrity, enhancement of neuroplasticity and the cultivation of social networks that foster purpose and belonging. Engagement in sport during midlife and beyond also provides structured routines and attainable goals, aiding in the negotiation of life transitions such as retirement or changes in family roles. From grassroots walking groups to competitive masters events, opportunities exist to accommodate varying functional capacities, personal motivations and cultural contexts. Collectively, research underscores the global significance of sporting engagement as a cost-effective, scalable intervention to support healthy longevity and reduce the burden of age-associated conditions.
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Active Aging Through Sports Participation publication trend
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Technical terms
Open-skill exercise: A form of physical activity in which the environment is unpredictable, requiring rapid adaptation and decision-making (e.g. badminton, table tennis).
Closed-skill exercise: A form of physical activity performed in stable, predictable conditions, focusing on repetitive movement patterns (e.g. running, swimming).
Social–ecological model: A framework recognising that behaviour is influenced by factors across multiple levels, including individual, interpersonal, organisational, community and policy.
Constraint negotiation strategies: Techniques employed by individuals to overcome barriers to participation, such as financial planning, time management or leveraging social support.
References
- Facilitators and constraints to adult sports participation: A systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2024).
- Benefits of Badminton for Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia. Encyclopedia (2024).
- Predictors of intentions of adults over 35 years to participate in walking sport programs: A social‐ecological mixed‐methods approach. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (2023).
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