| Summary: | 碩士 === 亞洲大學 === 社會工作學系 === 107 === Abstract
Purpose of study: to explore the effect on elderly women in urban communities when participating in the sport of pickleball for the purpose of promoting their health and delaying aging. Based on the concept of ‘active aging’, the investigation focused on the health, social participation, and safety of the participants, and assessed any consequential changes.
Research method: The research setting was the Community Care Center of the Ho-Ming Community in Taichung City. The participants were women over 65 years old who attended the center. The participants were closely observed during twelve games, and this was followed up with in-depth interviews. Analyses were performed during the data collection, from which a theme emerged.
Findings and discussion: Out of concern for the safety of the participants in this research, the community arranged for volunteers, an experienced instructor, and provided a set of guidelines. The participants took the research-games seriously, had full interaction with the other participants and emerged confident. After the end of the program, the participants had a better body condition, a lighter mood, and participated more in social activities.
Conclusions:
1. The elderly women in the community who participated in the sport benefitted from positive physical and mental changes, as well as enhanced social participation. Since the sport of pickleball is an innovative activity in the community, the participation of young volunteers enriches the social participation and mutual support of the elderly women, as well as improving their confidence and physical and mental health.
2. Safety is of the highest concern for the elderly during sporting activities. The women in the Ho-Ming community who participated in the sport of pickleball were fully supported by community volunteers; consequently, no injuries were recorded during the activities.
3. The sport of pickleball enhances cohesiveness within the community. Community members, especially the elderly women, increased the level of their personal interactions and care through their interest in pickleball activities. Therefore, it is proposed that the sport of pickleball is a very good community activity that can delay aging and prevent disability in the elderly.
Keywords: pickleball, urban community elderly women, active aging, community cohesion, elderly sports safety
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