Abstract
The world’s population is aging, and this has major implications for a wide range of sectors. In sport, this is important due to the associated health benefits of sports in later life. Despite extensive scholarly research and industry reporting from various disciplines including sport psychology, health science and leisure, the underlying psychology of sport participation among older adults remains fragmented and there is a need for a proper synthesis. Therefore, this dissertation draws upon academic publications, national governing organisations (NGOs), national sport organisations (NSOs), and local government reports as secondary data sources to conceptualise a motivational profile for older sport participants. The analysis has revealed four distinct dimensions that comprise that profile: 1. Independence; 2. Belongingness; 3. Self-Esteem; 4. Self-Actualisation. From a managerial perspective, these four dimensions and associated commentary provide industry practitioners with understandable and actionable insights to recruit and retain older sport participants.
