Ageing and Sport

Ageing and Sport by Dr. Shruti Patelia

Overview

1. Age Demographics

   • Baby boomers

   • Life expectancy trends

   • Physical activity trends

2. Barriers to Physical Activity and Sport

3. Stereotypes in Ageing

   • Ageism

4. Social Construction of Age and its Implications

5. Masters Athletes

6. Reconceptualizing Ageing

Age Demographics

• By 2050, the proportion of the world’s population aged 60 and above will nearly double (from 12% to 22%).

• By 2030, 1 in 6 people will be aged 60 years and over.

• Initially observed in high-income countries, this trend is now evident in low and middle-income countries.

  • 2/3 of the world’s population over 60 years is found in these regions.

Population Ageing

• There is a rapid increase in older adults (age 60 and above) due to:

  1. Continuous increase in life expectancy

  2. Decline in fertility rates

Population Ageing Statistics

• The percentage of individuals living in collective dwellings increases with age, over half aged 100 and older reside collectively.

• Achievements in longevity:

  • Age group distribution (85 years and older) has the fastest growth in older populations.

Challenges of Living Longer

• Older adults face multiple chronic diseases, loneliness, depression, financial difficulties in housing, and strained healthcare systems.

• Healthcare costs for individuals aged 65 and over account for 40% of total spending.

Opportunities in Kinesiology

• Older adults present the greatest opportunities for kinesiology and health science students to secure meaningful, long-term job positions.

Physical Activity Trends

• The percentage of adults meeting Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines decreases with age:

  • 69% of adults aged 18-24 meet guidelines; only 28% over 75 do.

Benefits of Physical Activity

• Physiological

  • Improves muscle mass, bone density, sleep quality, and musculoskeletal strength; helps delay chronic diseases.

• Social

  • Expands social networks and support systems.

• Psychological

  • Enhances cognitive function, reduces stress, anxiety, and depression (Daly & Bass, 2006; Dionigi et al., 2013; Finkenzeller et al., 2018; Piasecki et al., 2019; Public Health Agency of Canada, 2020; Tseng et al., 2013).

Barriers to Physical Activity (PA)

• Common barriers include health issues, laziness or fatigue, busy lifestyles, fear of injury, environmental factors, lack of knowledge, and costs associated with leisure activities.

Social Determinants of Health

• Crucial factors influencing health include income, social protection, education, job security, working conditions, food security, housing, childhood development, social inclusion, structural conflict, and access to affordable healthcare.

Stereotypes

• Stereotypes reflect oversimplified and widely held beliefs about a group, which may lead to ageism—an ingrained hostility towards older individuals.

• Internalization of negative stereotypes begins as early as age 3, with long-term consequences including disengagement from healthy behaviors and reduced will to live.

  • Examples include stereotypes that portray older adults as frail and dependent.

Impact of Stereotypes on Health and Activity

• Negative stereotypes lead to decreased confidence and hindered opportunities (e.g., job applications) for older adults.

• Stereotypes deter older adult engagement in sport, focusing instead on low-moderate activities such as walking and fitness classes.

Age-Related Decline

• Average performance in physical activities declines by 0.5-1% annually, worsened by inactivity.

Social Construction of Age

• Aging is influenced by cultural, social, and institutional contexts, beyond just physical changes.

  • Considerations include age-appropriate norms, institutional policies, and representation in media.

Masters Athletes

• Masters athletes are individuals aged 35 and above participating in various sports.

  • Participation in events like the World Masters Games has significantly increased from 8,305 competitors in 1975 to 50,000 in 2022.

  • Notable figures in masters athletics include Ed Whitlock, who holds remarkable marathon records at advanced ages, and Fauja Singh, who began serious running at age 89.

Reconceptualizing Ageing

• It is essential to challenge oversimplified stereotypes, promote positive views of ageing, support continuous growth and learning, and create inclusive environments for older adults.

Conclusion

• Understanding what "old" and "aging" means in modern society presents a significant opportunity for future generations.

Contact Information

• Dr. Shruti Patelia: shruti.patelia@utoronto.ca