Perceived Benefits of Sport Participation for People with Dementia: A Case Study of the Running Events in Wakayama

A co-authored article written by a CTR Researcher, Dr. Eiji Ito (Wakayama University), was published in the Journal of Asiania Sport for All.

 

Title

Perceived Benefits of Sport Participation for People with Dementia: A Case Study of the Running Events in Wakayama

 

Authors

Yuji Uenoyama, Support Office for Tourism Education and Practice, Wakayama University, Wakayama, Japan

Eiji Ito, Faculty of Tourism, Wakayama University, Wakayama, Japan

 

Source

Journal of Asiania Sport for All, 2017, Vol.14, No.1, pp.4-12

 

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived benefits of sport participation for people with dementia. The following three methods of collecting data were utilized: (a) observations, (b) formal interviews, and (c) informal interviews. Data were collected at sport (i.e., running) events, 2014, 2015, and 2016 RUN TOMO-RROW, in Wakayama, which were organized by a non-profit organization, Dementia Friendship Club. Our results indicated that sport participation provided the people with opportunities to develop their sense of self-determination and social support as shown by Coleman and Iso-Ahola’s (1993) theoretical model. Subsequently, these perceived benefits appeared to lead to the enhancement of their psychological well-being. It is worth noting that not only the participants with dementia perceived the benefits, but that the others who got involved with the sport events (e.g., family members, local residents) also perceived the benefits. Thus, sport participation may play a prominent role in promoting the establishment of the Community-based Integrated Care System that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare proposed.

 

Key words

Dementia, self-determination, social support, sport event, sport participation