A preliminary study of perceptions of aging in athletes and non-athletes

ObjectivesThere is mounting evidence to suggest that as the population ages, negative perceptions of aging reduce involvement in preventive health behaviours and ultimately prove harmful to mental and physical health. One group that may be at particular risk of developing poor attitudes toward aging are athletes, seeing that they are significantly invested in their physical performance and aging stereotypes reinforce that physical performance declines with age.MethodsThis study examined aging attitudes and knowledge of aging in athletes (n = 67) and non-athletes (n = 78). It was hypothesized that athletes would hold a more negative view of aging than non-athletes. Athletes were members of varsity sports teams and non-athletes were primarily undergraduate psychology students.ResultsResults showed that athletes were more invested in their physical fitness; however, both groups were relatively equal in their knowledge of aging and their expectations for aging.ConclusionsThese data suggest consistency in both knowledge of, and expectations for, aging among athletes and non-athletes. Future research should consider methods that reduce or eliminate negative attitudes towards aging as this may lead to better health in the future for younger and older cohorts.