title: Promoting successful aging through competitive sports participation: insights from older adults.
abstract: In this study we explored the experience of competing in the Senior Games and the resultant contributions to the successful aging of older adults. We used in-depth interviews with older adults who participated in the National Senior Games. Analysis of the data produced five central themes: (a) perseverance, (b) career development and significant effort, (c) personal and social benefits, (d) unique ethos, and (e) identification as a senior athlete. We found that participating in the Senior Games as a form of serious leisure enhanced the well-being of older adults and could be utilized as a means by which to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Jinmoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Culp
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Youngshin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Won
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States