Differences in Older Adults Walking Football Initiation and Maintenance Influences Across Respondent Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Despite health benefits gained from physical activity and sport participation, older adults are less likely to be active. This study investigates what influences 50- to 75-year-olds (N = 439) to initiate and maintain walking football, across gender, socioeconomic status, number of health conditions,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging and physical activity 2022-12, Vol.30 (6), p.936-949
Main Authors: Cholerton, Rachel, Butt, Joanne, Quirk, Helen, Breckon, Jeff
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activity level
Age differences
Aged
COVID-19
Cross-Sectional Studies
Culture
Football
Health status
Humans
Influence
Older people
Physical activity
Polls & surveys
Regression analysis
Soccer
Socioeconomic status
Sports participation
Surveys and Questionnaires
Walking
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Despite health benefits gained from physical activity and sport participation, older adults are less likely to be active. This study investigates what influences 50- to 75-year-olds (N = 439) to initiate and maintain walking football, across gender, socioeconomic status, number of health conditions, and physical activity level. It also considers relationships between participant characteristics and influences, and intentions to play after a forced break (COVID-19). Results of a U.K. online cross-sectional survey found those with two or more health conditions rated social influences significantly higher in initiation and maintenance than participants with no health conditions. Multiple regression analysis found a positive walking football culture, and perceived use of maintenance resources contributed significantly to intentions to return to play after COVID-19 restrictions eased. Practitioners should consider providing opportunities for social connection, foster a positive walking football culture, and encourage players to utilize maintenance resources (e.g., scheduling sessions) in older adult walking football sessions.
ISSN:1063-8652
1543-267X
DOI:10.1123/japa.2021-0305