Brad Millington -Post Doctoral Stipend 2011
University of Toronto
Français
This research explores older persons’ experiences with sport-based video games in Canadian retirement centres. In recent years, virtual reality-style games for consoles promoting social engagements and physical activity. What we know from existing research on sport and aging is that, despite a belief in past eras that later life should be a sedentary time, older persons are increasingly pursuing sport and leisure opportunities into retirement (see Higgs et al, 2009; Vertinsky, 2000). We also know that information and communication technologies are increasingly marketed towards older persons, though the successful use of new media depends on numerous factors (e.g., one’s history of media use – see Millington forthcoming; Selwyn, 2004). What we do not yet know is whether events like ‘Wii Olympics’ in retirement centres are successful in facilitating sport participation, and whether seniors actually find merits in such initiatives. This research will address these issues through a multi-phase ethnographic study carried out across four retirement homes in the Toronto area. The initial phase of the research will involve recruitment of study participants, as well as an analysis of retirement centre policies on video gaming. Following that, the second phase will consist of both interview with 10-12 older persons from each retirement centre on their gaming experiences and lengthy participant observation period designed to deliver further insight on how video games are actually used. The third and final phase of the research will consist of interviews with retirement centre employees on their perception of ‘virtual’ sporting activities. Ultimately, the findings of this project will inform public policy on sport participation through an empirical report on the benefits and limitations of video game-based activity programs.
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