Aging, older adults, and anthropology of sport: a short review

Abstract

In this review, the problematic relationships between older individuals and the aged, as a social group, and sports are discussed. To begin, the significance of sports in social theory and anthropological sciences is underlined. The important scientists who contributed theoretically to the knowledge of sports in the social arena are then featured, as well as their perspectives. It should be highlighted that in today’s societies, the elderly’s lack of participation in physical exercise and sports is due to social stereotypes and biases, rather than physical causes. It may be claimed, however, that sports should not only be important to young people and children, but should also be popular among the elderly.

Keywords

• Anthropology of sport
• social gerontology
• elderly people

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