A psycho-behavioral perspective research for elderly leisure sports participation via big-data and comparative analyses.

BACKGROUND

The health of the elderly and the need for research to support them has never been more important. This study aims (a) to analyze the participation behavior of the elderly in leisure sports through big-data analysis and (b) to compare and analyze the motivations, limitations, and satisfaction of participation in leisure sports by age group.

METHODS

First, big-data analysis using text-mining technique was conducted using the TEXTOM program to collect and analyze data between May 1, 2023 and November 24, 2024. Next, a survey was conducted among adults aged 20 years and older who regularly participate in leisure sports to determine their motivations, limitations, and satisfaction with leisure participation. From June to December 2024, the data of 301 participants were collected and analyzed using SPSS 28.0. Specifically, this study analyzed the validity and reliability of the data and then compared and analyzed the three age groups through multivariate analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Big-data analysis identified key terms and four clusters related to senior leisure sports participation: (a) Policy, (b) Welfare, (c) Senior Sports, and (d) Employment. The results of the comparative study through the questionnaire showed that compared to younger participants in leisure sports, the elderly showed higher results in the factors of self-challenge motive, social interaction motive, and leisure participation satisfaction, but lower results in the factor of cost constraints. This means that the elderly participate in leisure sports for challenge and social interaction, are more satisfied, and are less constrained by cost.

CONCLUSIONS

The scientific and objective results of this study could be used as a resource to specifically understand the leisure sports participation behavior of the elderly.