[Sports in the aged--sociologic and social psychological aspects]

In a standardized oral interview of 75 athletic seniors (men and women) from Saarland, (average age: 67.15 years), the following relations were examined: a) what is the relation between a high-level of activity and the overall satisfaction with the quality of life? b) how far do biographical-, sex- and class-specific variables influence the possible continuity of a lifelong engagement in physical activity (sports)?; and, c) what are the specific characteristics of the motivation of older people to participate in senior sports? The results were, among others: a) those who participate in sports at an advanced age often have been engaged in physical activities throughout their lives (this applies more to men to than women); b) a high individual level of activity (low disengagement) and a high subjective satisfaction with the quality of life have a positive correlation; c) the socialization to engage in sports because of physical education classes in school influences the continuity of a lifelong engagement in sports; and d) the motivation of older people to engage in physical activity is marked by three essential features: an expressive-emotional one (pleasure in physical exercise), a social-integrative one (camaraderie, social life, etc.), and an instrumental one (physical activity for reasons of health).