Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify motivating factors of senior adults who competed in the 2015 National Senior Games Association (NSGA) state games. The NSGA conducts local and/or state multi-sport competitions serving as qualifiers for the National Senior Games” (NSG) which are held biannually. Challenges facing the NSGA at these events include the decline in community and corporate partners and reaching their target demographic through multiple marketing platforms. Three hundred and ninety-three individual’s aged 50-94 participated in the study by completing an online survey. The survey included demographic, psychographic information and the Sport Motivation Scale-6 to determine specific motivation levels based on gender and the state of participation. Generalized demographic information (N=393) showed that participants ranged in age from 50 to 94 the majority were college graduates and the majority (75%) of participants take part in the senior games to compete and challenge their abilities. Understanding what the motivation is for getting and staying involved will allow the autonomous organizations to better market their product and subsequently positively impact more seniors’ lives. The findings presented in this study may be the initial stepping stone for states to review present practices and consider new or different avenues to introduce more seniors to the NSGA.