Global populations are ageing, and people need to be physically active for good health. Research
about physical activity for older adults has focused on general physical activity rather than
community sport. This research investigated the benefits of, and barriers to, community sport
participation for older adults and for sporting organisations trying to engage older adults.
Reasons for older adult drop out and re-engagement in sport, and potential modifications to
attract and/or retain older adults were also investigated.
This research utilised the Socio-Ecological model, Capacity Building strategies, Leisure
Constraints and Organisational Change theories. An exploratory sequential mixed method
approach was utilised, comprising of two studies. Study 1 involved eight focus groups (n=49)
with representatives from two Australian National Sporting Organisations (NSOs), older adult
sport club members and non-members. Study 2 was an online survey to Australian NSOs and
State Sporting Organisations (n=171).
The prominent benefit for older adults participating in sport were health and the most discussed
barrier to participation was lack of appropriate playing opportunities. The main organisational
benefits were to increase participation numbers and volunteering capacity, whilst the main
organisational barrier was a focus on youth. The main reason for drop out was a lack of age
appropriate opportunities, whilst older adults can re-engage with sport when their families
played. Modifications to attract and/or retain older adults included changing the way sport was
advertised and partnering with external organisations. There is a clear nexus between the main results and sport policy, with a lack of priority for older
adults and therefore low sport participation. A re-orientation of sport policy is required to allow
sporting organisations to focus strategically on older adults.
With an ageing population and the pressure for sport to increase their participation numbers, older
adults are an ideal market. There is also an opportunity to further highlight the social, mental and
physical health opportunities that sport offers, especially for older adults.