
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Green, Sue 
A1  - Campbell, Elizabeth 
A1  - Barnett, Lisa 
A1  - Mitchell, Rebecca 
A1  - Radvan, Deborah 
A1  - Van Beurden, Eric 
T1  - Promoting a team ball game (Lifeball) to older people: who does this game attract and who continues?
JF  - Health Promotion Journal of Australia
JO  - Health Promot J Aust
Y1  - 2009
VL  - 20
IS  - 2
SP  - 120
EP  - 126
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/HE09120 
N2  - Issue addressed: To describe the demographic and health-related characteristics (physical activity, self-reported health status, quality of life and falls history) of older people who enrol in a team-based game, Lifeball, and examine associations between continuation and participant characteristics. Reasons for stopping, participants? perceptions of the game and changes in health-related characteristics over 12 months were examined. Methods: Telephone surveys were conducted with a cohort of Lifeball players at: baseline, soon after commencing playing and 12 months later. Results: At baseline, participants were aged 40 to 96 years (mean 67). Most were female (84%), in good to excellent health (86%) and reported being sufficiently (>150 minutes per week) physically active (69%). Almost half (43%) were still playing 12 months later (continuers). Continuers were more likely to perceive Lifeball had helped them to: feel fitter and healthier (91%); improve their social life (73%); and be more active (53%). No significant changes in continuers? physical activity, self-reported health status and quality of life measures were reported. The main reason for stopping playing was illness/injury unrelated to Lifeball. Conclusions: Lifeball mainly appealed to healthy, active older people. Key words: physical activity, exercise, older people, socialisation, health promotion. 
ER  -

