“I Just Roll Over, Pick Myself Up, and Carry On!” Exploring the Fall-Risk Experience of Canadian Masters Athletes
in Journal of Aging and Physical ActivityObjectives: The risk of falling increases in adults aged 65 years and older. A common barrier to take up physical activity in sedentary older adults is the fear of falls and injury. Experiences of master athletes can provide insights into management of the risk of falling. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the fall-risk experience of masters athletes actively competing in sport. Methods: Masters athletes aged 55 years and older (N = 22) described their experiences in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed through an interpretive–constructivist paradigm using inductive content analysis. Results: Five dominant themes emerged: acceptance, learning, awareness, resilience, and self-fulfillment. Participants of this study reported an acceptance of the risk they take in sport for falls and injuries in their pursuits for self-fulfillment. Discussion: Findings indicate that master athletes accept the risk for falls and injuries in sport, find ways to adapt, and continue to compete because it is self-fulfilling. Sharing their experiences might inspire other older adults to get active as a rewarding means of remaining independent.
Brennan is with Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Zecevic, and Sibbald are with the School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Sibbald is also with Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Dept. of Family Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Nolte is with the School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
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