An Outcome Evaluation of Masters Sport Promotion: A Multigenerational Comparative Analysis of Masters Koshien Participants

• Published in: Journal of aging and physical activity 2008-07, Vol.16, p.S90-S90
• Main Authors: Hikoji, K, Chogahara, M, Ishizawa, N, Tani, M, Sonoda, D, Nakamoto, K, Okada, A, Takada, Y, Naniwa, K, Ono, S, Tanisho, K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1063-8652

Purpose: The purposes of this study are to explore the benefits for participants of Masters Koshien, to consider how the benefits differ with age groups, and to conduct an outcome evaluation of the event in its starting period. Procedure: As part of an ongoing research program, we started a Masters sport promotion in 2004, named "Masters Koshien," a baseball event for adults who pursued for Koshien Stadium in their high school days. The data were collected from the Masters Koshien participants with an interview survey. We interviewed them after they played: "How was Koshien?" "Did you feel that you have changed, since your team had gotten an opportunity to play at Koshien?" "Did you feel that your surroundings have changed, since your team had gotten an opportunity to play at Koshien?" and so on. We used data from 2005 and 2006, because the items in both surveys were almost the same. The number of valid responses was 614, with participants' ages ranging from 19 to 77 years. A total of 2,738 linguistic data points were acquired. Then we separated the subjects into 13 age groups, dividing them by every 5 years of age, to consider the differences among age groups. Results: In the series of phrase extraction and themes analysis, the linguistic data were categorized into four types of benefits; 1) personal benefits (1, 213 phrases), 2) community benefits (604 phrases), 3) social benefits (341 phrases), and 4) future benefits (581 phrases). Regarding personal benefits, "enjoyment," "impact of Koshien," "behavior changing," "fulfillment (of dreams)," "impression," "enrichment (for life)" and "reminiscence (of their youth)" were listed as important themes. Comparative analysis by age groups indicated that the typical differences were not found but there was a tendency for younger participants to gain "fulfillment (of dreams)" more than older participants. On community benefits, the bonds or support of "alumni," "family," "community" and "friends or companions (of company, etc.)" were suggested as themes. Among age groups, the participants under the age of 24 years were conscious of the bonds or support of "family" of community benefits from their parents but the participants in their 30s felt those benefits arose not only from parents but also from their spouses. Furthermore, the participants in their 40s received "family" community benefits from their children and the participants in their 50s and over were able to obtain that from their grandchildren. Social ben