“Until Body Do Us Part”

Abstract

Using a socioecological model as a theoretical framework, we aimed to explore the barriers to retain in competitive sport 463 senior athletes (aged 61.4 ± 5.5 years) actively engaged in sports disciplines from 4 European countries. Participants answered an open-ended question regarding perceived barriers to continued engagement in sports, and their answers were subject to content analysis. The results highlighted physical determinants as the main reasons for potential disengagement from competitive sports. Our data suggest the need to minimize these potential barriers by implementing programs that are designed to keep senior athletes competing in sports for as long as possible.