Facilitating Motivation in Later Life, A Case Study of Coach-Player and Club Dynamics in Walking Soccer
Author
Skulstad, Jonas
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-06-01
Pages
54
Abstract
Baggrund: Når flere mennesker lever længere, og aktivitetsniveauet ofte falder med alderen, øges interessen for ældres oplevelser med sport og bevægelse. Gåfodbold (walking soccer), en tilpasset form for fodbold for ældre, er blevet undersøgt før, men der mangler viden om, hvordan træning og klubrammer påvirker deltagelse og motivation. Formål: At undersøge hvilken rolle træneren og arrangøren spiller for at støtte deltagelse og motivation i en konkret gruppe af gåfodboldspillere. Teoretisk ramme: Studiet fortolker data gennem selvbestemmelsesteori (Self-Determination Theory, SDT), der fokuserer på behov for kompetence, autonomi og tilhørighed, samt en hermeneutisk, fortolkende tilgang. Metode: Kvalitativ casestudie med semistrukturerede interviews og observationer, analyseret ved refleksiv tematisk analyse (RTA). Deltagere: syv personer (fem spillere, én træner, én arrangør). Resultater: Tre temaer blev identificeret: 1) Miljømæssige, strukturelle og ledelsesmæssige kendetegn (hvordan rammer og ledelse former oplevelserne), 2) At navigere aldring gennem accept, tilpasning og humor (hvordan man håndterer kropslige ændringer og fortsat deltager), og 3) At balancere gruppeidentitet og forandring (at bevare fællesskabets kultur samtidig med nye tiltag). Fundene peger på, at træner og arrangør var centrale for at skabe et støttende, alders-tilpasset miljø. En inkluderende og autonomistøttende trænerstil understøttede spillernes grundlæggende behov for kompetence, autonomi og tilhørighed, og tilpasninger til alder muliggjorde fortsat deltagelse. Konklusion: Praktikere og lokale aktører bør designe senioridræt med autonomistøttende coaching, fleksible tilpasninger og gode muligheder for socialt samvær. Strukturerede tilbud som gåfodbold kan fremme aktiv, sund aldring ved at holde ældre engagerede og socialt forbundne.
Background: As people live longer and physical activity often declines with age, interest in older adults’ experiences of sport and movement has grown. Walking soccer, a modified form of soccer for older adults, has been studied, but less is known about how coaching and club organization shape participation and motivation. Purpose: To examine the role of the coach and the organizer in supporting participation and motivation in a specific walking soccer group. Theoretical grounding: The study uses Self-Determination Theory (SDT)—which focuses on needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness—and a hermeneutic, interpretive approach. Methods: Qualitative case study with semi-structured interviews and observations, analyzed through Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Participants: seven in total (five players, one coach, one organizer). Results: Three themes emerged: 1) Environmental, structural, and leadership characteristics (how settings and leadership shape experience), 2) Navigating ageing through acceptance, adaptation, and humor (how players manage physical changes and keep participating), and 3) Balancing group identity and change (maintaining group culture while accommodating new developments). Findings indicate that the coach and organizer were key in creating a supportive, age-adapted environment. Inclusive, autonomy-supportive leadership fostered satisfaction of basic psychological needs (competence, autonomy, relatedness), and age-appropriate adaptations enabled continued participation. Conclusion: Practitioners and community organizers should design senior sport programs with autonomy-supportive coaching, flexible adaptations, and ample social opportunities. Structured initiatives like walking soccer can support active, healthy ageing by keeping older adults engaged and socially connected.
[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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