Athletes involved in competitive sport are often required to neglect certain aspects of their life to pursue their sport. One of these aspects is participating in valued activities outside of sport. However, an imbalance between sports, in this case hockey, and other valued activities can lead to living a less than optimal leisure lifestyle with a negative impact on well-being. The purpose of this study is to explore how amateur Junior hockey players leisure lifestyle and casual leisure participation influence athletic identity, performance and perception of hockey. Results indicate that most participants perceived over-identified to hockey, which led to living a less than optimal leisure lifestyle and a negative impact on perception of hockey, identity and performance. However, after dropping out participants perceived their leisure lifestyle as optimal and returned to playing recreational hockey with renewed joy for hockey and a multi-dimensional identity.

This study examines the casual leisure activities of older adults and their potential to create flow experiences. Using a qualitative approach, the study found that participants often choose leisure activities based on the perceived enjoyment and potential benefits; maintaining physical and mental health, altruism, or maintaining relationships with friends and family. Analysis revealed that flow-like experiences were facilitated by participants’ purposeful choices and focusing their attention on the immediate task. If participants do not achieve flow, their leisure activities were chosen to contribute positively to their well-being and quality of life.