To Travel or to Compete? Motivations of Masters Swimmers

Modelling commitment and compensation: a case study of a 52-year-old masters athlete

“…thrill, adventure, spontaneity; Hritz and Ramos 2008), and social (Hritz andRamos 2008, Dionigi et al 2011) purposes influenced MAs attendance at major events (i.e. World Masters Games), but travelling for the sake of travelling did not (Hritz and Ramos 2008).…”

“…In previous studies, researchers examined the motives of athletes at the highest 728 S. Rathwell and B.W. Young international level of competition, and it is possible that travel may have been considered a burden to their training (Hritz & Ramos 2008). Thus, travelling to new locations for sporting events might be more motivation for Canadian national-level MAs like Andrew than those who compete at the highest international-level competitions.…”

“…Moreover, MAs discussed being committed to sport because they feared losing the fitness level, health and independence acquired through years of investment (Dionigi 2006, Dionigi et al 2013. Finally, MAs spoke in depth about how the inherent enjoyment they experienced (Dionigi 2006, Dionigi et al 2013) and the opportunities afforded to them through sport facilitated their commitment (Hritz andRamos 2008, Dionigi et al 2011). Specifically, they believed sport allowed them to travel to new places (Hritz and Ramos 2008), create and maintain Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health 719 friendships (Dionigi et al 2011) and prevent perceived inevitable age-related changes through maintained fitness and independence (Dionigi 2002(Dionigi , 2006.…”

“…Finally, MAs spoke in depth about how the inherent enjoyment they experienced (Dionigi 2006, Dionigi et al 2013) and the opportunities afforded to them through sport facilitated their commitment (Hritz andRamos 2008, Dionigi et al 2011). Specifically, they believed sport allowed them to travel to new places (Hritz and Ramos 2008), create and maintain Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health 719 friendships (Dionigi et al 2011) and prevent perceived inevitable age-related changes through maintained fitness and independence (Dionigi 2002(Dionigi , 2006. Although none of the aforementioned studies examined their themes using the SCM, the similarities between themes found in these qualitative studies and the antecedents of the SCM illustrate how the SCM may be a suitable framework for conceptualising conditions that foster MAs' continued involvement in sport.…”

Exploring the Context of Coached Masters Swim Programs: A Narrative Approach

“…Precisely, athletes believe sport allows them to travel to new places (Hritz & Ramos, 2008), establish and maintain friendships with likeminded individuals (Dionigi et al, 2011;Hodge, Allen, & Smellie, 2008), and prevent aging by preserving their fitness and independence (Dionigi, 2006). Finally, many adults use sport to redefine themselves as athletes, to seek personal challenges, for goal fulfillment, and to experience competition (Dionigi et al, 2013;Stevenson, 2002;Vallerand & Young, 2014).…”