A retrospective analysis of the influence of ego involvement on adult running participation and preferences among post-university varsity cross-country athletes

Abstract

ABSTRACTThere were two purposes for this research. First was to model influence of ego involvement (EI) facets on running intensity behaviours and preferences over former interuniversity athletes’ lifespans. Second, we examined the role of age as a potential moderator of these relationships. Retrospective data related to ego involvement with, and participation in, running were collected from 288 former varsity distance runners ages 24 to 89. Data suggested that increase in centrality (i.e. the extent to which participants felt their lives were organized around running) was associated with greater self-reported running intensity (e.g. number of days run per week) over the lifespan. Age moderated the association of ego involvement with running intensity and preferences. Specifically, centrality was positively associated with number of days run per week and length of run for younger respondents. Findings are discussed in terms of continuity theory and physically active leisure behaviour over the adult life span.