Exploring the Exercise Motivations and Perspectives of Successful Aging With Older Triathletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the exercise motivations and perspectives of successful aging with older triathletes. This was considered important as a significant gap was determined in the literature with exercise motivation studies conducted with older triathletes. Therefore, this study was conducted with 131 older triathletes who were 65 through 85 to investigate this topic. This study utilized a sequential, mixed methods research design with two phases: Phase I, the Quantitative (QUAN) strand, and Phase II, the Qualitative (QUAL) strand. First, quantitative data was collected through an electronic survey and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistically significant differences were found for females regarding affiliation exercise motives and gains. For age groups, statistical differences were found for 75-79-year-olds, on the ill-health avoidance exercise motive and gain, and the positive health, revitalisation and stress management exercise gains in comparison to 70-74-year-olds. Statistically significant differences were also found for 65-69-year-olds on the exercise motive, stress management, in comparison to 70-74-year-olds. In Phase II, one-on-one interviews were conducted with a subsample of 18 participants. A deeper understanding of how older triathletes viewed exercise motivations was explored. Results showed that wanting to maintain healthy aging, the triathlon community, and enjoying being a physically active older adult all positively impacted successful aging. This study found that healthy aging, a sense of community, and enjoyment were all strong motivators to exercise and viewed as important for older triathletes in successful aging.