Abstract
ABSTRACT The study explores older adults’ lived experiences and meaning making around sports participation, wellbeing, and personality in later life. Semi-structured interviews with six badminton players (three British, three Hong Kong Chinese; age range 56 to 75) were conducted, and the transcripts analysed according to the method of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The interviews with the Hong Kong participants were conducted bilingually enabling code-switching between Cantonese and English. Three overarching themes were derived: 1) British and Hong Kong players saw badminton as a conduit for self expression and mood regulation; 2) the British players claimed badminton helped them develop as a person; and 3) the Hong Kong players claimed that badminton was a mirror of their culture. The findings disclose, in addition to physical health, sports participation supports wellbeing and continuing personal development in later life through being a crucible for change. We discuss implications for understanding sports through the phenomenological lens, to illuminate the lifeworld generally, and societal processes beyond.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
