In her text, Elizabeth Pike (2015) states the third age to be a part of old age where it is a “period of withdrawal from paid work during which people continue to enjoy active lives in good health” (Pike, 2015). For anyone interested please check out: https://worldingdifference.ca/modules/aging-arts-accessibility/ . This link will take you to Aging, Art and Accessibility which directly connects to Pikes understanding of aging and sport, where aging is displayed through art and storymaking to create counter-narratives that produce nuanced, and diverse understandings of aging through the perspectives of aging people and the art they produce.

This image shows the erasure of older individuals as they are deemed invaluable in Western society as a tactic of colonial domination.

In our modern capitalist and neoliberal society, people (older individuals) who are unable to make economic or reproductive contributions are frequently seen as either expendable or even dangerous. Many intersecting factors, including race, class, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, contribute to the pervasive discrimination these people experience. This problem is prevalent in society as these conversations are dominated by white frameworks and viewpoints, which often influence the narrative as white people are the normative in society, and everyone ages. Therefore, because white people are affected by these issues, it is highly discussed.

I don’t think biological sex and sports activity have an immense impact on life expectancy because gender is a socially constructed term. Rather, I contend that physical and mental health are essential to personal experiences of health, which are closely linked to the nature of women’s relationships. The importance of these social interactions is further highlighted by the intriguing finding that heterosexual married women frequently live shorter lives than their unmarried counterparts (Thomas & Umberson, 2017).

Thomas, P. A., Liu, H., & Umberson, D. (2017). Family Relationships and Well-Being. Innovation in Aging, 1(3), igx025.

In Anselmi (2024), the planned development of pickleball courts in Bonnerworth Park, Peterborough, has ignited fierce debate among residents and politicians, as residents aim to enhance pickleball’s accessibility and community well-being, there are concerns regarding the transformation of public green spaces into sport-centric facilities. The displacement of existing baseball diamonds and tennis courts in favor of paved pickleball courts raises questions about the environmental and emotional impact of such changes on the community (Anselmi, 2024).

The rising interest in pickleball amongst older adults can be understood through Elizabeth Pike’s examination of age and physical activity in her study of the sociology of sport, Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability. In her examination, Pike (2015) puts forth that societal expectations dictate what sports are perceived to be acceptable for older adults, with many pressuring older adults not to engage in vigorous physical activity. In this context of Peterborough, pickleball is an alternative to engaging in sport; it not only supports physical activity but promotes a social environment with others who are older, fostering a sense of community that can diminish feelings of isolation. Nevertheless, and entirely unintentionally, this has come to support the larger and potentially damaging agenda for older adults to become physically active purely to combat societal anxieties of aging and decline (Pike, 2015).

Public sentiment in Peterborough is not solely focused on preserving recreational facilities but also addresses the growing concern for maintaining the ecological integrity of parks. Many residents believe that the pivot toward constructing specialized sports facilities undermines the essence of what a park should be—an accessible, green space that enhances biodiversity and offers varied recreational opportunities. Additionally, this push for pickleball courts does contribute to individual health goals, however, it simultaneously overlooks the diverse needs of those who cherish the park’s current offerings for family play and various sports (Anselmi, 2024).

The dialogue about pickleball facilitation and carefully maintaining green space leads to important questions about redevelopment, city planning, and the values we place on community parks. According to Pike (2015), the language of sports often frames older adults from a paternalistic view, indicating the need to remain active to “avoid being a burden” to society. However, reinforcing stereotypes of negative aging language ultimately downplays the importance of valuing leisure and enjoyment out in nature.

2) Media representations of older pickleball athletes often highlight their active engagement in the sport, framing them as dynamic and vibrant rather than passive or frail. This portrayal counteracts prevailing stereotypes of aging, although ageism can manifest subtly in these narratives. Discussions on social media sometimes trivialize the accomplishments of older players by emphasizing age as a novelty, rather than recognizing it as a testament to their skills and dedication (Ryu et al., 2018). Such representations may reinforce the notion that physical activity like pickleball is essential for a “successful” and fulfilling later life, which aligns with neoliberal ideologies emphasizing personal responsibility and self-improvement (Pike, 2015; Ryu et al., 2018).

Neoliberal policies concerning aging may also be seen in the portrayal of physical activity to do more than for enjoyment or fun, but rather as a mechanism for reducing the perceived burden of aging. Discussing the promotion of physical activity, relating to aging, Pike (2015) argues that the effort is couched in an anti-aging framework and portrays aging as something one should avoid (Pike, 2015). For instance, activities promoting pickleball with the expressed intention of bettering health may insinuate that individuals must play the sport, with the purported reasoning to highlight worthiness, further burdening your older athletic community (Pike, 2015; Ryu et al., 2018).

This discourse risks marginalizing people who do not fit into the societal expectations of fitness. Research suggests older adults often experience cultural and structural barriers – e.g., embarrassment when exercising and a lack of access to specific equipment – that limit their engagement in sport (Pike, 2015). Therefore, this framework of “successful aging” perhaps limits a generous definition of vitality in our aging culture (Pike, 2015). In this respect, celebrating older pickleball players looking to be active, it is important to consider the possible implications of framing their engagement in sport through the neoliberal lens that they are being productive, allowing them their agency while disregarding the lack of access and opportunity related to residual socio-economic factors and ageism (Ryu et al., 2018; Pike, 2015).

Citations

Moore, D., Orsega-Smith, E., & Goodwin, S. (2025). Motivational Differences Among Older Adult Pickleball Players. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 1–24.

Ryu, J., Yang, H., Kim, A. C. H., Kim, K. M., & Heo, J. (2018). Understanding pickleball as a new leisure pursuit among older adults. Educational Gerontology, 44(2–3), 128–138.