Physical Activity and Aging: Exploring Motivations of Masters Swimmers.

ABSTRACT: Physical activity benefits the health of older adults (e.g., lowering risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia, and falls). However, less than one in four Americans meets guidelines for physical activity and inactivity increases with age. Masters athletes are exemplary because of their remarkable physical functioning. Swimming is a global, fast-growing sport in Masters athletics. This qualitative study explored motivations and barriers of 18 older adult members of a Masters swim club in Southern California. Guided by a primary research question: Why do Masters swimmers choose swim late in life, when most of their age cohort are becoming less physically active, semi-structured interviews delved into the lived experiences of the participants, and solicited peer feedback. Four mai

SUBMITTER: Brilliant SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8764399 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature