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Findings in Sport, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Event Management

Abstract

Pickleball has been widely reported as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Prior research has largely attributed this growth to the psychosocial benefits that pickleball provides to older adults, including increased social interaction and enhanced overall well-being. However, limited attention has been given to participation motivations and perceived benefits among other participant groups. The purpose of this study was to examine pickleball participants’ motivations, interests, and intentions for continued involvement across diverse demographic groups.

Participants included 431 individuals (54% male, 46% female) representing four age groups, with 67% aged 55 and older. Participants were recruited from two private sporting clubs (located in Maryland and Florida) and three college campus wellness centers between late November 2025 and January 2026. Data was collected using a 26-item online survey administered through Qualtrics. The survey instrument was developed based on existing participation motivation research. ChatGPT was utilized to assist in drafting the initial survey items, after which the authors conducted further analysis and refinement with the support of a pickleball professional to ensure content validity and practical relevance.

Exploratory factor analysis identified three primary motivation factors influencing participants’ interest and willingness to play pickleball: (1) health benefits and social interaction, (2) competition and skill improvement, and (3) court access and convenience. Additionally, significant differences in participation motivation were observed across several demographic and psychosocial variables, including gender, age, playing frequency, length of playing experience, injury history, self-reported skill level, and club membership status.

Overall, the findings support prior research highlighting pickleball’s positive impact on older adults while also revealing strong potential for expanding participation among female and younger players. Practical implications include targeted marketing strategies, increased court availability, and the provision of instructional programs aimed at skill development to engage broader participant populations.

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