Abstract

Lifespan is increasing globally as never before, and leading to an aging world population. Thus, the challenge for society and individuals is now how to live these years in the best possible health and wellbeing. Despite the benefits of physical activity for both are well documented, older people are not active enough. Physical self-concept is correlated with high levels of sports practice, although its evolution across one’s life span is not clear. The aim of this research has been to analyze the physical self-concept in older adults and its relationship with emotional intelligence, motivation and sports habits. The sample of 520 adults aged between 41 and 80 was clustered in ranges of age; 70.96% were men (n = 369; 57.34 years (SD: 7.97)) and 29.04% women (n = 151; age = 55.56 years (SD: 9.12)). Questionnaires adapted to Spanish were used to measure physical self-concept (Physical Self-Perception Profile), motivation (Sport Motivation Scale), and emotional intelligence (Trait Meta-Mood Scale). Regarding physical self-concept, the youngest group obtained the highest mean values and the oldest group the lowest. Physical self-concept correlated positively with emotional regulation and intrinsic motivation. Initiation to sports in childhood, the practice of sports activities for more than 150’ per week, and the practice of three or more sports, were associated with a higher score of physical self-concept. The findings reveal that physical self-concept declines in older adults, slightly at first, and sharply between 71 and 80 years, being intrinsic motivation, emotional regulation, and sports habits, factors to consider in favoring a positive physical self-concept and adherence to sporting activities.

Highlights

  • Introduction iationsThe world is experiencing a great demographic revolution

  • The main finding of this research, despite its limitations, is that physical self-concept (PSC) decreases from the age of 40, with a sharp decline starting at the age of 70

  • Regarding the motivation towards sports practice and its relationship with PSC, it is in the intrinsic motivations where the older adult finds reasons for sports practice, thereby favoring higher levels of PSC

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Summary

Introduction

Introduction iationsThe world is experiencing a great demographic revolution. Facilitated by socioeconomic progress and the most recent advances in public health, life expectancy has increased significantly, which, together with a sharp drop in the birth rate, is leading to an aging world population. For the first time in history, the number of people aged over 65 is greater than under 5, and by 2050 the UN [1] expects this gap to double This great achievement of humanity presents new challenges, for society, which is seeing its workforce shrink or the pressure and costs of health and care services increase, and for the individual who is faced with how to live through these times in the best possible health and quality of life [2,3,4,5].

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