Masters motives change over time, university pair find
Masters have been guinea pigs for academic and medical researchers for decades, but a study conducted at the 2004 masters nationals in Decatur, Illinois, (and the Canadian counterpart) touches on the heart of what matters: Why do masters run, jump and throw? The answers found in a Canadian research project aren't surprising: We compete for fitness, medals, PRs, fellowship, etc. But one interesting finding is that our motives change over time. Click here to review a summary of the latest masters research. Click here for a rundown on earlier masters studies.
In addition, you're weclome to contact the authors of these studies, and even take part in further investigations.
Jennifer Wigglesworth wrote me (but also applies to you):
On behalf of Dr. Bradley Young and Dr. Nikola Medic, I am writing to thank you for your previous participation in their research pertaining to Master Athletes. Your contribution and comments helped facilitate their research at McMaster University between 2003 and 2007.Although both researchers have changed institutions, they continue to actively research issues relating to physical activity and aging and specifically Masters Sport. As promised some time ago, they would like to provide you with feedback gained from their research. Along with this letter, there are two attached files.
One contains a summary of research to date, including findings for various studies in which you may have participated. The other file contains a brief report that explains some of our findings pertaining to the motivation of Masters Athletes. We invite you to read them and encourage you to contact us if you would like any additional information.
At this time, they would like to invite you to participate again in their ongoing research. The Masters Athlete Research Group at the University of Ottawa continues this line of inquiry with the aid of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Sport Canada.
The purpose of our present research is to examine aspects of social support that are associated with your involvement in Masters Sport. We are interested in understanding your degree of commitment to your sport as well as the different social influences that support or constrain your participation.
Your participation would be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. If you are interested in participating or finding out more information about the ongoing project, please send a response email to this letter indicating your interest.
Thanks again. Best regards,
Jennifer Wigglesworth
Research Assistant
Masters Athlete Research Group
University of OttawaTo contact the investigators:
Bradley W. Young, PhD
School of Human Kinetics
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON Canada
Email: byoung@uottawa.caNikola Medic, PhD
Centre for the Built Environment & Health
University of Western Australia
Nedlands, WA Australia
Email: nmedic@meddent.uwa.edu.au
Comments
Gosh, is this all it takes to get a research grant these days?
So, now we know that the majority of us would stop competing if we either lost interest, got injured or felt we were too old. Thanks Dr Young and Dr Medic (is that a psuedonym?), but a quick scan through the Forum for this web site would tell you that, at no cost.
And most of us like it when we're doing well, do we? Hardly great insight or revelation there, either, is there?
Posted by: Tom Phillips | July 10, 2008 6:55 AM
I can't get enough British sarcasm...can you?
Posted by: Tony Blair | July 10, 2008 9:12 AM
I disagree with Tom. While the results might seem obvious, it is important to study the motivations of people in our unique subgroup. Over 60 percent of people in many Western countries are obese or overweight. Much of the problem is due to lack of exercise.
Masters T&F athletes go against the grain. We have people in their 70s and even 80s who can beat high school kids. Younger masters athletes compete in the Olympics. Many of us train as hard as we did in college.
Why do a small group of old people train 12 months a year, brave injury and exhaustion, and devote considerable financial resources to competing and training, while other people our age sit in front of the TV and watch Oprah? This is important information— even if the answers seem obvious.
Except for a few breaks, I have competed in track and field since 1963. I feel so fortunate to do the things I did more than 40 years ago.
This spring I competed at a discus meet in Salinas with some of the best throwers in the world (Ralph Fruguglietti and I were the token old guys). Even though I am now slow, weak, and old, throwing in that meet made me feel like I was going to live forever. I love this sport!
Posted by: Thomas Fahey | July 10, 2008 9:43 AM
Thomas, I certainly don't disagee with you that we are a group someone needs to study properly. My point was that this latest study seems to offer little but generalizations and platitudes, based on a remarkably small sample and a less than insightful analysis of its results. I just don't feel the study has advanced the sum of human knowledge. Ought one not to expect more than a catalogue of the obvious or predictable from two PhD's and a researcher working on a grant-aided project? I believe we could probably have established more of value, at zero cost, through a series of polls on this web site's forum, for starters.
And "Tony Blair", your own point was what, exactly?
Posted by: Tom Phillips | July 10, 2008 2:40 PM
I agree with Tom Phillips, the data was collected more than a couple of years ago. Why did it take them all this time to come up with the results. And not exactly earth shaking results at that. As for why some of us do this decade after decade - just nuts i guess! Beats bingo at the local senior center that is for sure.
Posted by: Mary Harada | July 12, 2008 5:19 PM
nice work, dude
Posted by: Dogsseiste | September 28, 2008 9:51 AM