A Socioecological Approach to Women's Participation in Competitive Softball during Middle and Late Adulthood: Implications for the Future

Abstract

Informed by a socioecological framework, this qualitative study contributes to the fields of allied health and aging by identifying the factors that influence older women's participation in competitive softball. Focus groups were conducted with 6 teams of women (N = 64) ranging in age from 55 to 79 years. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. Results revealed issues of recruitment, access to resources, and breaking age-related cultural stereotypes. Knowledge from this study can offer insight into how allied health professionals might mitigate these issues to promote competitive sports alternatives for future cohorts of aging women.