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Orienteering from Cradle to Grave—How a Sport Could Offer Lifelong Participation

Author

Listed:
  • Max Bergström

    (Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University (MIUN), 85170 Sundsvall, Sweden)

  • Mats Jong

    (Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University (MIUN), 85170 Sundsvall, Sweden)

  • Stig Arve Sæther

    (Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

Abstract

Background: The aim of this present study is to explore what makes orienteering meaningful and rewarding to former elite athletes’ years or even decades after ending their elite careers. Methods: Applying a qualitative approach with a case study design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 former elite orienteers from Norway and Sweden, and the data was subsequently analyzed with thematic analysis, resulting in two main themes: individually matched challenges and a social community. Results: The character, structure, and culture of orienteering both enabled and encouraged former elite athletes to make the transition into recreational sport. Even so, the characteristics of the sport related to both its structure (range of ages, level, and ambition) and organization (well-organized) as well as the participants’ backgrounds (well-educated) and intrinsic motivation (satisfaction, enjoyment, mastery) seemed to match a lifelong sport participation. Conclusions: These factors could indicate that orienteering is a sport that can facilitate a lifelong sport participation for athletes with such a background.

Suggested Citation

  • Max Bergström & Mats Jong & Stig Arve Sæther, 2021. "Orienteering from Cradle to Grave—How a Sport Could Offer Lifelong Participation," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:5:p:146-:d:540039
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hiroaki Funahashi & Simon Shibli & Popi Sotiriadou & Jarmo Mäkinen & Bake Dijk & Veerle De Bosscher, 2020. "Valuing elite sport success using the contingent valuation method: A transnational study," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 548-562, July.
    2. Funahashi, Hiroaki & Shibli, Simon & Sotiriadou, Popi & Mäkinen, Jarmo & Dijk, Bake & De Bosscher, Veerle, 2020. "Valuing elite sport success using the contingent valuation method: A transnational study," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 548-562.
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