The multistage pathway to active aging

In the context of China’s large aging population and its rapid growth, this study examines how leisure sports, which offer multiple benefits for older adults, contribute to promoting active aging. Using a phenomenological approach, this study aims to explore the process of older participants experiencing active aging within the context of leisure sports. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 Chinese older adults who had participated in leisure sports activities for at least six months. Thematic analysis revealed that active aging through leisure sports is a gradual refinement process encompassing four stages: initiating active aging, active aging with health focus, active aging with social focus, and holistic active aging. The initial stage involved self-driven participation in leisure sports; the health-focused stage emphasized physical and mental health; the socialization stage centered on receiving and giving support; and the final stage reflected a strong sense of identity and wellbeing. This study offers an innovative interpretation of active aging through the lens of leisure sports, providing new theoretical insights and Chinese-specific evidence to enrich the existing literature

Leisure time · Physical activity · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Gerontology

• Developing leisure awareness through sport

  Huachen Zhu•Leisure Studies•2026

  Incluir item

• The Link between Successful Aging and Serious Leisure

  Open Access•Carroll A Brown, Francis A McGuire et al.•The International Journal of…•2008

  Incluir item

• Leisure Activities and Quality of Life among the Oldest Old in Sweden

  Open Access•Merril Silverstein, Marti G Parker•Research on Aging•2002

  Incluir item

• The Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change

  Open Access•James O Prochaska, Wayne F Velicer•American Journal of Health…•1997

  Incluir item

• Successful Aging

  John W Rowe, Robert L Kahn•The Gerontologist•1997

  Incluir item

• Sport Participation and Happiness Among Older Adults

  Open Access•Amy Chan Hyung Kim, Jungsu Ryu et al.•Journal of Happiness Studies•2021

  Incluir item

• Qualitative Research

  Sharan B Merriam•Handbook of research on scholarly…•2015

  Incluir item

• Canadian men's perceptions of leisure time physical activity and the ageing body

  Toni Liechty, Laura Dahlstrom et al.•Qualitative Research in Sport and…•2014

  Incluir item

• Older women’s perspectives on leisure commitment for coping with chronic illnesses

  Sanghee Lee, Jinmoo Heo•Health Care For Women International•2020

  Incluir item

• Serious Leisure

  Robert A Stebbins•The Pacific Sociological Review•1982

  Incluir item

• Older Golfers

  K L Siegenthaler, Irma O'Dell•World Leisure & Recreation•2003

  Incluir item

• Surfing through the life-course

  B Wheaton•Annals of Leisure Research•2016

  Incluir item

• Physically active leisure and the transition to retirement

  Toni Liechty, M Rebecca Genoe et al.•Annals of Leisure Research•2016

  Incluir item

• Alive and kicking

  Sally F Gregory, Kay Dimmock•Annals of Leisure Research•2019

  Incluir item

• Meanings of leisure for older people

  Diana Joseph, Jane Southcott•Leisure Studies•2019

  Incluir item

• Women, climbing and serious leisure

  Rachel Dilley, Rachel Elizabeth Dilley et al.•Leisure Studies•2010

  Incluir item

• Old bodies, young hearts

  Eva Cheng, Shane Pegg et al.•Leisure Studies•2016

  Incluir item

• Serious leisure profiles and well-being of older Korean adults

  Hyunmin Tim Yang, Junhyoung Kim et al.•Leisure Studies•2019

  Incluir item

• Voluntary dance performance as serious leisure and successful ageing

  Sanghee Lee, Jinmoo Heo et al.•Leisure Studies•2020

  Incluir item

• Competitive Sport as Leisure in Later Life

  Rylee A Dionigi, Rylee Dionigi•Leisure Sciences•2006

  Incluir item

• The role of subjective well-being in serious leisure and active aging

  Open Access•Yi Shang, Yajun Qiu et al.•International Review for the…•2023

  Incluir item