Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
14:13
A Training Program Using an Agility Ladder for Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Published on: March 7, 2020
The link between successful aging and serious leisure
Carroll A Brown1, Francis A McGuire, Judith Voelkl
1Department of Management and International Business, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723, USA. cabrown@wcu.edu
International Journal of Aging & Human Development
|April 24, 2008
Summary
Serious leisure activities, like shag dancing, offer older adults a pathway to successful aging. This engagement fosters well-being and provides valuable insights for recreational programs.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Leisure
Background:
- Successful aging is a multifaceted concept influenced by various lifestyle factors.
- Serious leisure activities are defined as sustained, high-level engagement in a recreational pursuit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if serious leisure activities contribute to successful aging in older adults.
- To explore the experiences of older adults engaged in shag dancing as a serious leisure pursuit.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing in-depth interviews.
- Data collected from 25 individuals and 6 couples (aged 60-82) at shag dance festivals.
- Constant comparative method used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Shag dancing was identified as a serious leisure activity for older adults.
- Engagement in serious leisure, specifically shag dancing, was linked to opportunities for successful aging.
- Participant narratives highlighted the significant role of serious leisure in their lives.
Conclusions:
- Serious leisure activities hold promise for promoting successful aging in older populations.
- Recreational programs can leverage serious leisure to enhance the well-being of older adults.
- Findings underscore the value of sustained engagement in enjoyable activities for healthy aging.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Lifestyle factors play a critical role in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. Key elements, such as regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and abstinence from smoking, can significantly enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being while reducing the risk of several life-threatening conditions.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...