Older adults’ experiences of volunteering in community sport organisations: a scoping review protocol

Globally, people are living longer (Rudnicka et al., 2020; United Nations, 2020; World Health Organisation, 2024). By 2050, it is projected that adults 65 years and older will comprise 16% of the global population (United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, 2020). In the European Union, people over 65 years will comprise 29% of the population by 2050 (Christensen et al., 2009; OECD, 2024a). It is estimated that there has been a gain of about 30 years in life expectancy in areas such as Western Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, which is seen as one of the most important achievements of the 20^th century. The worldwide trend towards populations ageing is changing the composition of societies, placing increased pressure on societies to adapt (Mitchell & Walker, 2020). The World Health Organisation (2024) raises the concern that this increase in life expectancy is often accompanied by increased years spent in ill health.

People who live longer in good health can participate in and significantly add to society. In a multi-wave American cohort study with 1,582 participants using a 1:1 prospective case–control design, data showed that older adults should be encouraged to be active physically, mentally and socially - therefore allowing them to maintain independence and continue contributing to society for as long as possible (Liebzeit et al., 2022). In qualitative research using in depth interviews in a Thai context, Wongsala et al. (2021) found that physical health in older adults was not solely measured by the absence of any illnesses, but it was also measured by the ability to stay active and maintain social networks. Similarly, in a Norwegian context, Krohne et al. (2023) reported that participants’ social ties and close relationships have a beneficial role for well-being in older age. Staying socially connected is essential to healthy aging, as it reduces the risk of cognitive decline, depression, and early mortality (Haslam et al., 2014; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015).

Volunteering is one way for older adults to stay socially active, connect with others and make a community contribution. Voluntary work is defined as unpaid, non-compulsory work; the time individuals give without pay to activities performed either through an organisation or directly for others outside their own household (Hsu et al., 2023). The benefits of volunteering have been widely reported (Bradley, 1999; Connolly & O’Shea, 2015; Hamm-Kerwin et al., 2009; Nichol et al., 2024). A systematic review of 10 qualitative studies (Hsu et al., 2023) found that, for societies facing aging populations, voluntary work participation may be an important activity for aging well. An umbrella review of systematic reviews across 11 databases revealed a multitude of benefits of volunteering on mental, physical, and social health and well-being, particularly reduced mortality, and increased functioning, quality of life, pride, empowerment, motivation, social support and sense of community (Nichol et al., 2024). In a randomised controlled trial in Hong Kong, Yeung et al. (2025) demonstrated that volunteering conveyed beneficial effects on reducing loneliness in older adults. Having social supports was identified as a protective factor for both depressive symptoms and disorders in a scoping review of international literature by Wickramaratne et al. (2022), whose results suggested supports should be targeted at adults with low social support and elevated loneliness. Those with less social connections may benefit more from volunteering (Connolly & O’Shea, 2015).

Recent literature on volunteering has focused heavily on declining rates of volunteerism (Holtrop et al., 2024; Horsham et al., 2024; Pettigrew et al., 2020). Volunteering rates were declining in the years leading up to COVID-19, which then further reinforced a downward trend (OECD, 2024b). In a qualitative Canadian study of older adult sport volunteers, Hamm-Kerwin et al. (2009) argue that recruitment of volunteers for community groups continues to be one of the biggest challenges faced by community sport organisations. Establishing the downside to volunteering in community sport organisations may be difficult as those who have had negative experiences have probably already left the organisation (Misener et al., 2010). If recruitment and/or participation is to be improved, it is important to understand why people volunteer. Kort-Butler and Malone (2015) suggest that if volunteers are to be successful, impactful and continue their volunteering involvement, then the meaning of being a volunteer needs to be understood. Exploring stakeholder voices, including retired volunteers, in relation to volunteering has the potential to help improve volunteer recruitment and retention (Gaber et al., 2020).

There have been some individual studies, but no review which maps the evidence of older adult volunteers’ own experiences specifically in community sport organisations. Community sport organisations are commonly defined as non-professional, volunteer-run, and focused on participation, social interaction and community engagement rather than elite performance (Misener et al., 2010; Sport Australia, 2020). The proposed scoping review focuses on community sport organisations as the current study forms part of the lead author’s larger project with a specific community sports organisation in Ireland. In a report aimed at enhancing knowledge of the social dimensions of sport in Ireland and highlighting significance for public policy, Delaney and Fahey (2005) suggest that sport is the most important arena for volunteering in Irish society. Their research suggests that not only is sport a major promoter of volunteering, but also that volunteering is a major dimension of sport. Community sport organisations were also chosen as in Ireland these organisations represent one of the most numerous types of non-profit, membership-based organisations and attract the highest level of volunteer participation, with nearly 290,000 people, making sport the single most common voluntary sector (CSO, 2024).

A preliminary search of MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and JBI Evidence Synthesis was conducted and one systematic review on the topic was identified (Yi Chan et al., 2024), namely a qualitative systematic review of adults' (aged 50+) experiences volunteering in various forms of volunteer work. The proposed scoping review will differ, as it will (a) explore both qualitative and quantitative data regarding older adults’ experiences of volunteering [perceived benefits and challenges], (b) focus on older adults (65 years and older), and (c) specifically on volunteering in community sport organisations.

The aim of this scoping review is to chart what is known about older adults’ experiences of volunteering in community sport organisations. Appreciating the benefits and challenges for older adults in this setting may help to support their continued involvement as a volunteer. Furthermore, it will allow a better understanding of the potential to enrich the quality of life of older people through volunteering activities (Bradley, 1999; Misener et al., 2010; Ronkainen et al., 2022; Tsuji et al., 2022). Charting the available evidence is therefore necessary to guide future research and practice in this area.

Key terms defined are shown in Appendix 1.

Aim

This scoping review will identify the extent and type of evidence available on the experiences (perceived benefits and challenges) of older adults volunteering in community sport organisations.

Primary review question:

Secondary review questions:

Inclusion criteria

Methods

A scoping review was deemed the most appropriate method to address the review question. Scoping reviews allow many sources of evidence to be included, including grey literature (Peters et al., 2021). This method will facilitate the mapping and synthesis of the literature on experiences of volunteering for older adults in community sport organisations, examine the main sources and types of evidence and help to identify knowledge gaps (Campbell et al., 2023; Mak & Thomas, 2022; Woo et al., 2023).

The review will be conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework methodology for scoping reviews (Peters et al., 2020). The review process includes defining the review objectives and questions, developing and refining the inclusion criteria, designing and implementing a comprehensive search strategy, and extracting and charting relevant data. The reporting of the scoping review will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA ScR) checklist to allow a structured and rigorous procedure to examine the literature (Page et al., 2021; Pollock et al., 2021). See Appendix 2.

Discussion

This scoping review will address the current gap on the extent and type of published research related to older adults’ experiences of volunteering in community sport organisations. As such, this scoping review will provide valuable information for policy makers, volunteering organisations, sporting organisations and healthcare providers. Specifically, the findings will inform future research on ways to support and enhance older adults’ engagement in and experiences of volunteering in community sport organisations.