"Kickoff" Men's Health: Connecting Older Rural Men to improve Health and Wellbeing through Walking Football

Rationale and Justification:

This research will improve social connectedness among older men in South Australia’s Limestone Coast region through a walking football programme, addressing gendered mental health inequalities and reducing mental health risks among older men in rural communities. By fostering connections and community participation, it intends to contribute to healthy ageing [1].

Being socially connected is a crucial physical and mental health determinant for older men, that reduces risks of loneliness, depression, and anxiety [2, 3]. Community connections, especially those formed through activities like sports, foster purpose, resilience, and emotional support, which help men navigate the challenges of ageing [4, 5]. In rural and regional settings, social bonds established through organised programmes can reduce isolation, increase life satisfaction, and support longer, healthier lives [6]. Men are disproportionately affected by mental health issues, contributing to high rates of suicide. In Australia, seven of the nine people who die by suicide each day are men [7]. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, men aged 55-59 have the highest age-specific suicide rate (30.9 per 100,000 people) [7]. Therefore, this research will target men in this age group and those aged 60-74, addressing their unique mental health needs and the pressing demand for targeted support.

Older men in rural regions face particular challenges for healthy ageing, such as isolation, limited healthcare access, and fewer social opportunities [8]. Men in rural areas are also more likely to experience higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and depression [9, 10]. While social connectedness is a critical protective factor for mental health, many older men experience fewer social ties as they age [2]. To address these issues, this research will use an innovative “walking football” programme—a low-impact version of football designed to foster enjoyable, team-based physical activity and social interaction without significant physical strain [11, 12]. The intervention will be based in the Limestone Coast, where the population of nearly 67,000 has a self-reported rate of mental health conditions above the national average, indicating substantial potential for community-wide benefits [9].

Aims and Objectives:

This study evaluates the impact of a walking football programme on social connections, mental health, and physical well-being among older men in South Australia, aiming to enhance community involvement and support lasting, positive health outcomes in rural areas.

Research Design:

This project will recruit men aged 55 and over from South Australia's Limestone Coast to participate in a 12-month walking football programme. Using a mixed-methods approach, surveys and physical assessments at the start, midpoint, and end will track changes in mental and physical health, alongside social engagement. In-depth interviews and focus groups will capture participants' experiences and factors supporting positive outcomes.

Relevance and Potential Benefit:

The co-design nature of the research will enable the creation of adaptable walking football toolkit for rural regions across Australia. By promoting accessible physical activity and social connections, this research aligns with the “Ageing Well” theme, and the Strategic Research Agenda’s priority of “Sense of Community – People,” potentially enhancing life quality for older adults across rural areas.