Why does age affect participation in sport?

Age significantly affects participation in sport due to various physiological and social factors, one of which is the impact of aging on physical abilities. As individuals grow older, they often experience a natural decline in physical capabilities such as flexibility, strength, and stamina. Additionally, the risk of injury tends to increase with age due to factors like decreased muscle elasticity, joint flexibility, and overall recovery time—making participation in certain sports more challenging.

This decline in flexibility and the heightened risk of injury can discourage older individuals from participating in contact sports or activities that require a high level of agility, thus affecting overall participation rates among older age groups. Such changes are important to consider when examining the trends in sports participation across different ages.