Psychological Connection to Pickleball: Assessing Motives and Participation in Older Adults

in Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

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Jonathan M. Casper
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Jung-Hwan Jeon
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2017-0381
Keywords:
commitment; consumer behavior; motivations; senior sport
In Print:
Volume 27: Issue 1
Page Range:
28–33
Restricted access

The purpose of this study was to examine psychological connection to the sport of pickleball by investigating active older adults (55 years and older) in relation to behavioral involvement and motives for participation. Data were collected via an online survey of a representative sample of active pickleball players in North Carolina (N = 690). The psychological continuum model (PCM) categorized players into four distinct connection levels of Awareness, Attraction, Attachment, and Allegiance. Participants on each PCM level were analyzed based on playing length, play frequency, and motivations for participation (Competition, Diversion, Fitness, Skill Mastery, and Socialization). Results showed respondents at the highest PCM levels have played pickleball for at least 1 year and play at least 10 times per month. Although Fitness and Socialization were reported as the most important motives for the entire sample, Competition and Skill Mastery were viewed significantly higher for respondents at higher PCM levels.

Casper is with the North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Jeon is with the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.

Address author correspondence to Jonathan M. Casper at jmcasper@ncsu.edu.
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