Scheduled for Special Populations I Free Communications, Friday, April 4, 2003, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM, Convention Center: 304


No Old Fool: 88 Years Old and Still Running

Emily A. Roper, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA and Douglas J. Molnar, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Within the sport, physical activity and aging literature, a significant amount of interest has been directed towards the importance of physical activity and sport involvement for the senior aged. Moreover, a significant amount of attention has been given to the sequential effects of historical events on people's life course. However, few studies have specifically explored the experience and meaning of sport involvement for seniors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was extend the understanding of senior aged sport participants by conducting a case study of Max Springer, an 88 year old male, Caucasian Master runner. Consistent with Langley and Knight (1999), we assumed that continuity in sport would represent a primary adaptive strategy for coping with the aging process. Max was purposefully selected for this case study due to his unique running career - mainly his entrance into running at an advanced age (at age 64), adherence to sport involvement, and significant "success" as a senior aged runner. Two semi-structured interviews, focusing on Max's history of sport involvement, entrance into running, and experience and perception of being senior aged, were conducted. Several other individuals were also interviewed to serve as additional lens through which to understand Max's story. The data analysis procedures followed the recommendations outlined by Patton (1990) and Glesne (1999) for deductive analysis of interview material. The analysis focused on a case-analysis, that is, analyzing Max's responses to each question from the interview guide. As Patton (1990) suggested, "the interview guide actually constitutes a descriptive analytical framework for analysis" (p. 376). Moreover, themes were noted and refined systematically. To assume cross validation, the two researchers independently analyzed the interview data. Together, they came to a consensus regarding the major themes. The following themes emerged as figural to Max's experience as a senior aged runner: (1) tradition of always being physically active, (2) not an athlete, (3) being senior aged, (4) meaning and philosophy of running, and (5) significance of social support. Each of the five major themes and their respective sub-themes will be presented. It is hoped that this study will contribute not only to our understanding of the senior aged sport participant, but is also a rewarding and positive example of the importance and meaning of a healthy lifestyle.

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