Service Quality for Sports and Active Aging in Japanese Community Sports Clubs

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Nov 10;17(22):8313. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17228313.

Abstract

(1) Background: This study aims to examine the association between service quality for sports and active aging and the impacts on different age cohorts; (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of 545 Japanese community sports club (CSC) members over 60 years old, recruited from across eight CSCs in Japan between 2012-2013. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure the self-reported health status of the elderly, evaluations to CSCs, demographic characteristics, and information on sports programs; (3) Results: The results of multiple logistic regression showed that domains of general evaluation for sports (OR = 1.942 and 95% CI 1.336~2.824), benefits of sports (OR = 1.659 and 95% CI 1.344~2.047), and management in sports (OR = 1.273 and 95% CI 1.011~1.603) were important for club members aged 60-64, the young-old, and the old-old, respectively. With a reduced model for elderly members, stratified analyses showed a significant impact of service quality for sports on active aged people in the benefits and management domains, regardless of sociodemographic information or club participation behavior; (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest that the services encountered in sports are key to promoting health in a community. Service quality in age segmentation should be considered to promote and manage active aging in the future.

Keywords: active aging; age segmentation; service quality for sports.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Healthy Aging*
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Public Health* / standards
  • Sports* / standards
  • Surveys and Questionnaires