Distance running events and life satisfaction: A longitudinal study

Mikihiro Sato, Jeremy S. Jordan, Daniel C. Funk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The current study examines whether a distance running event has the capacity to promote participants' life satisfaction. The construct of psychological involvement was used to investigate the impact of attitude change through event preparation and subsequent activity. Data were collected four times through online surveys from running event participants (N = 211) over a five-month period. Latent growth modeling analyses revealed that participants' life satisfaction peaked immediately after the event before receding, indicating that event participation exerted a positive impact on participants' evaluations toward their lives. A positive significant association was also found between change in pleasure in running and change in life satisfaction. Findings from this study provide empirical support that a distance running event can serve as an environmental determinant that enhances participants' life satisfaction by providing positive experiences through event participation and forming psychological involvement in physical activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)347-361
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Sport Management
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Decision Sciences
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

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