Age influences sports participation, but social media and video games have replaced hobbies like gymnastics, ballet, and football, leading to a decline in these activities and a shift towards leisurely ones. A 50-year-old man, 40-year-old woman, and 20-year-old man shared their sports experiences, including football, table tennis, volleyball, and lawn tennis. each of them stopped due to busy schedules, accessibility issues, and injury. Moreso, as individuals age, their physical fitness and capabilities may change, leading to chronic conditions, injuries, and health decline, potentially reducing performance and demotivating those accustomed to higher athletic achievement. (MacAuley, 2014). Psychological factors and increased responsibilities can limit adults’ time and energy for sports, while shifting priorities and interests can also hinder participation. (Barnett et al., 2013). Psychological barriers like fear of injury or lack of confidence can also hinder participation. Past negative experiences or decreased self-efficacy can contribute to this decline (Sallis et al., 2000). Socio-economic factors, including access to facilities, financial resources, and membership fees significantly impact sports participation. Low socio-economic status often leads to less leisure time due to longer working hours or multiple jobs (Bauman et al., 2012). Insufficient support systems, such as a lack of adult-specific community sports programs, exacerbate this issue.
Social support is crucial in youth sports, as they are often integrated into school systems and social structures, creating a community around the activity. However, in adulthood, maintaining this social aspect becomes challenging, leading to decreased motivation and interest in continuing (Allender et al., 2006). Societal expectations and norms may also discourage participation in sports associated with younger individuals.
Interventions and recommendations should be implemented at both individual and systemic levels to tackle these barriers effectively by enhancing availability of affordable adult-specific sports facilities (Hallal et al., 2012), creating a supportive environment, and promoting flexible scheduling to encourage lifelong participation.
Finally, the decline in sports participation as individuals age is influenced by a combination of physical, psychological, socio-economic, and social factors. Addressing these barriers to sports participation can foster a lifelong physical activity culture, leading to improved health outcomes and enhanced quality of life.