Promoting a team ball game (Lifeball) to older people: who does this game attract and who continues?
OBJECTIVE
To describe the demographic and health-related characteristics (physical activity, self-reported health status, quality of life and falls history) of older people who enrol in a team-based game, Lifeball, and examine associations between continuation and participant characteristics. Reasons for stopping, participants' perceptions of the game and changes in health-related characteristics over 12 months were examined.


METHODS
Telephone surveys were conducted with a cohort of Lifeball players at: baseline, soon after commencing playing and 12 months later.


RESULTS
At baseline, participants were aged 40 to 96 years (mean 67). Most were female (84%), in good to excellent health (86%) and reported being sufficiently (>150 minutes per week) physically active (69%). Almost half (43%) were still playing 12 months later (continuers). Continuers were more likely to perceive Lifeball had helped them to: feel fitter and healthier (91%); improve their social life (73%); and be more active (53%). No significant changes in continuers' physical activity, self-reported health status and quality of life measures were reported. The main reason for stopping playing was illness/injury unrelated to Lifeball.


CONCLUSIONS
Lifeball mainly appealed to healthy, active older people.
Green
Sue
S
Hunter New England Population Health and Hunter Medical Research Institute New South Wales, Wallsend, NSW. Sue.Green@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Campbell
Elizabeth
E
Barnett
Lisa
L
Mitchell
Rebecca
R
Radvan
Deborah
D
Van Beurden
Eric
E
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D013177:Sports