@article{ref1,
title="Promoting a team ball game (Lifeball) to older people: who does this game attract and who continues?",
journal="Health promotion journal of Australia",
year="2009",
author="Green, Sue and Campbell, Elizabeth and Barnett, Lisa and Mitchell, Rebecca J. and Radvan, Deborah and van Beurden, Eric",
volume="20",
number="2",
pages="120-126",
abstract="ISSUE ADDRESSED: To describe the demographic and health-related characteristics (physical activity, self-reported health status, quality of life and falls history) of older people who enrol in a team-based game, Lifeball, and examine associations between continuation and participant characteristics. Reasons for stopping, participants' perceptions of the game and changes in health-related characteristics over 12 months were examined. METHODS: Telephone surveys were conducted with a cohort of Lifeball players at: baseline, soon after commencing playing and 12 months later. RESULTS: At baseline, participants were aged 40 to 96 years (mean 67). Most were female (84%), in good to excellent health (86%) and reported being sufficiently (>150 minutes per week) physically active (69%). Almost half (43%) were still playing 12 months later (continuers). Continuers were more likely to perceive Lifeball had helped them to: feel fitter and healthier (91%); improve their social life (73%); and be more active (53%). No significant changes in continuers' physical activity, self-reported health status and quality of life measures were reported. The main reason for stopping playing was illness/injury unrelated to Lifeball. CONCLUSIONS: Lifeball mainly appealed to healthy, active older people.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1036-1073",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}