Armytage, Kym L. (2024) Ageing Trailblazers: Older Australians Riding High Through Ageing. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
With both global population and life expectancy rising, understanding healthy ageing is crucial for promoting individual wellbeing and reducing societal burdens. Physical activity and sport participation are known to maintain functional abilities and provide psychosocial benefits, supporting healthy ageing. However, research on older adults’ participation in sports, particularly equestrian sports, remains limited. This qualitative study addresses this gap by exploring the experiences of Australians aged 60 years or over who engage in endurance horse-riding, focusing on its impact on biopsychosocial wellbeing. Using reflexive thematic analysis with an inductive approach, the study identified an overarching theme: “Thrive, not just survive”. Four main themes and four subthemes were determined: (a) maintaining the momentum; (b) endurance community (social connection, bridging the divide); (c) motivation and mindset (to complete is to win, positive ageing mindset); and (d) riding in the environment. The findings revealed that participation in endurance riding positively influences all domains of biopsychosocial wellbeing. Participants embraced a positive ageing mindset and showed a strong motivation to continue their involvement in the sport for as long as possible. This research extends current knowledge on physical activity in older adults, emphasising the holistic benefits of sports participation. Theoretical implications from the study may inform strategies to support older adults in maintaining a high quality of life as they age.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Dr Winterbotham, Dr Sonya |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology) |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Jan 2026 06:16 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Jan 2026 06:16 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Ageing, biopsychosocial wellbeing, successful ageing, reflexive thematic analysis |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5205 Social and personality psychology > 520505 Social psychology |
| Socio-Economic Objectives (2020): | 20 HEALTH > 2004 Public health (excl. specific population health) > 200409 Mental health |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53067 |
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