Sports Psychology in the Elderly

Traditionally, views on the elderly and their participation in physical activity have been limited to the belief that with aging comes a natural deterioration of functional ability. However research is confirming that this loss of function and the degree to which it affects the elderly is heavily influenced by their personal level of physical activity (Sallis & Owen, 1998). In fact participation in physical activity later in life after periods of inactivity (sometimes ranging in the decades) has been shown to have dramatic physical and psychological benefits on participants (Laurin et al., 2001, Netz et al., 2005). Such benefits have the capacity to increase levels of functionality and lower the susceptibility to chronic diseases in the elderly, rendering this portion of the population as the greatest beneficiaries of physical activity and exercise (Schwartz & Evans, 1995). However evidence suggests that the level of physical activity undertaken by the elderly is below the recommendations put forward by the Australian Government (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). Therefore in conjunction with the examination of literature and results obtained through conducted surveys, this paper will highlight the psychological and social factors behind lower levels of physical activity in the elderly, and the avenues through which we can increase and sustain engagement in it.

The introduction of regular physical activity into the lifestyles of the elderly has been shown to hold numerous physiological and psychological benefits, the extents of which are generally unknown by the elderly. Some of these benefits can be immediate, such as improved sleep, alleviation of depressive symptoms and behavior, an enhanced sense of self-efficacy, and the feeling of having more personal control (Ruuskanen & Ruoppila, 1995, Steward, 2006). Furthermore, long term effects have been shown to both significantly increase the extent and the quality of life within the elderly by improving levels of bone health, reducing the risk of developing age related diseases, increasing cardiovascular endurance, reducing levels of stress and anxiety, and enhancing mood states (Steward, 2006).

Although research has identified the benefits of physical activity within the elderly, the levels of engagement are limited. With fewer than 50% of persons aged 65 and over engaged in sport or physical activity within the last 12 months, and just 28% engaging in physical activity more than twice a week within the last 12 months, engagement is far below the levels merited by the benefits associated with it (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010).

To better understand why physical activity is limited within the elderly despite the drastic benefits it facilitates, research was undertaken to identify the mediating factors that contribute to these lower levels of physical activity and recommendations that can be undertaken to overcome them.