Retirees are building new identities on the pickleball court
Pickleball offers retirees a way to forge a new identity after leaving the workforce. But a new study suggests that building skills and social bonds is more important than simply spending hours on the court.
A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity has found that retirees who engage in pickleball can develop a new sense of identity, but merely spending time on the court is not enough. The research, led by Chungsup Lee and Amy Chan Hyung Kim, suggests that developing skills and feeling deeply invested in the sport are crucial for retirees to establish a new leisure-based identity.
The study, which surveyed 188 retired adults at the 2019 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, highlighted the importance of active participation, skill development, and mental investment in creating a leisure identity. As many retirees struggle with a loss of self-identity upon leaving the workforce, sports and hobbies like pickleball can provide an avenue for individuals to redefine themselves and find a renewed sense of purpose.
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