“Football- It’s in Your Blood”—Lived Experiences of Undertaking Recreational Football for Health in Older Adults

Sophie Mowle (), Emma Eyre, Mark Noon, Jason Tallis and Michael J. Duncan ()
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Sophie Mowle: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Emma Eyre: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Mark Noon: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Jason Tallis: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Michael J. Duncan: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: Physical inactivity is prevalent in older adults and contributes to age-related decline in function, health, well-being, and quality of life. Recreational football for older adults has shown promise for promoting health benefits. This study explores the lived experiences of older adults engaging in a walking and recreational football intervention and identifies factors that affect behaviours and can encourage change in this population. A purposive sample (n = 14; aged 67 ± 5 years) of the lived experiences of those participating in a recreational football intervention took part in two focus groups. The participants’ responses were grouped into three-time reflecting specific points in their lives: what stopped them from playing football, what got them playing, and what is needed for them to continue playing in the future. Within each of these time points in their lives, themes were identified. The key findings and practical recommendations were that football needs to be adapted and local, that the priority to play football changes over time, and that football itself is a fundamentally intrinsic motivator; ‘it’s in your blood’. The findings can be used to inform future interventions, encourage participation, and advise on the best practices for key stakeholders in the physical activity domain.

Keywords: walking football; older adults; physical activity; health; behaviour change theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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