Characteristics of Older Swedish Orienteers: Health, Lifestyle, Physical Function, and Sport Participation

Background: As populations age globally, maintaining physical function is essential for healthy aging; however many do not reach recommended activity levels. Orienteering is commonly practiced into older age, yet objective measurements of physical function among older orienteers remain limited. The aim was to characterize older orienteers (≥65 years) regarding sociodemographic factors, health status, lifestyle behaviors, physical function, and orienteering participation, and to examine gender differences and compare with population-based and community-dwelling older adult reference groups. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 462 orienteers (36% women; mean age 75 ± 6 years) recruited through orienteering clubs across Sweden. Participants completed a questionnaire based on the Swedish National Public Health Survey, with additional questions on participation motives, anthropometric measurements, and four standardized physical function tests (one-leg stand, grip strength, Timed Up-and-Go, sit-to-stand). Health and lifestyle were compared with a population-based reference (N = 7276) using direct standardization, and physical function was compared with community-dwelling older adults (N = 1472) using age-adjusted linear regression. Results: Orienteers reported better self-rated health (88.0% vs. 59.4%), lower hypertension (30.1% vs. 56.5%) and diabetes prevalence (3.5% vs. 19.1%), and higher physical activity compliance (96.5% vs. 54.5%), all p < 0.001. The main participation motives were enjoyment, exercise, health, social interaction and nature. Orienteers performed better on balance, Timed Up-and-Go, and sit-to-stand tests (all p < 0.01); only women’s right-hand grip strength differed significantly, favoring orienteers (p = 0.048). Within orienteers, men and women performed similarly, except for higher grip strength in men. Conclusions: Older orienteers demonstrate more favorable health and lifestyle than the general population, and better physical function than a community-dwelling reference group. These cross-sectional associations do not establish causality and may partly reflect a healthy participant effect.