An examination of the changes on facilitators and constraints during lifelong participation in surfing. Issue 6 (2nd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sotiriadou, Popi; Thrush, Andrew; Hill, Brad
• Is Part Of: European sport management quarterly. Volume 22:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 747
• Page End: 767
• Publication Date: 2022-11-02
• Subjects: Intrinsic and extrinsic rewards -- lifetime sport participation -- social ecology -- intrapersonal -- interpersonal -- structural factors -- socialising -- wellbeing -- relatedness -- competency -- mastery -- autonomy; Sports administration -- Periodicals; Sports administration -- Europe -- Periodicals; 796.069
• DOI: 10.1080/16184742.2020.1825508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1618-4742

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Research question: Continued sport participation hinges on facilitators and constraints, which may change throughout an individual's life. The research question for this study was: 'How do facilitators and constraints change over time in the pursuit of lifelong participation in sport?' Research methods: Interviews with 16 participants who commenced surfing as a child and continued to surf at middle adulthood revealed the facilitators and constraints that affected their commencement and continuation of surfing. Results and findings: Findings showed that social factors (e.g. friends and family) facilitated surfing as a child and continued to do so in middle adulthood. However, a significant shift was noted in middle adulthood towards participants' mental wellbeing as a strong facilitator for continued participation. Furthermore, middle-aged adults used other activities to develop competencies that would compensate for any loss of functional capacity and help them continue surfing. Implications: The results offer an application of social ecology in sport which contributes to understanding facilitators and constraints within a sport-specific context over lifetime participation.