Shuttle Time For Seniors: The Impact of 8-Week Structured Badminton Training on Markers of Healthy Aging and Evaluation of Lived Experiences—A Quasi-Experimental Study

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Engagement in sport offers the potential for improved physical and psychological well-being and has been shown to be beneficial for promoting healthy ageing. Opportunities for older adults to (re)engage with sport are limited by a paucity of age-appropriate introductory sports intervention programs. As such, the study evaluated the efficacy of a newly designed 8-week badminton training program (Shuttle Time for Seniors; STS) on markers of healthy ageing and the lived experiences of participation. Methods: Forty-three older adults assigned to a control (N=20) or intervention group (N=23) completed pre-post assessment of physical and cognitive function, self-efficacy for exercise and well-being. Focus groups were conducted for program evaluation and to understand barriers and enablers to sustained participation. Results: Those in the intervention group increased upper body strength, aerobic fitness, coincidence anticipation time, and self-efficacy for exercise. Objectively improved physical and cognitive function were corroborated by perceived benefits indicated in thematic analysis. STS was perceived as appropriate for the population, where the age-appropriate opportunity to participate with likeminded people of similar ability was a primary motivator to engagement. Despite willingness to continue playing, lack of badminton infrastructure was a primary barrier to continued engagement. Conclusion: STS offered an important opportunity for older adults to (re)engage with badminton, where the physical and psychosocial benefits of group-based badminton improved facets important to healthy ageing. Significance/Implications: Age-appropriate introductory intervention programs provide opportunity for older adults to (re)engage with sport. However, important barriers to long term engagement need to be addressed from a whole systems perspective.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)606-623
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Ageing and Physical Activity
Volume32
Issue number5
Early online date6 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 6 May 2024

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Funder

This project has been carried out with the support of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) who part-funded this work.

Keywords

  • sport
  • older adults
  • intervention development

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