Background: Even though competitive master swimming has grown substantially in recent years, the affective experiences associated with participation remain insufficiently described. Although physical, psychological and social benefits are often highlighted, less is known about the extent to which master swimmers experience enjoyment and positive or negative affect during competition. A clearer understanding of these dimensions may help explain continued participation across adulthood and older age. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 234 Portuguese master swimmers, 96 women and 138 men, assessed during the Summer Portuguese National Masters Championships. Participants completed the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule in relation to their competitive experience. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the total sample and by sex and age group. Group differences were examined using univariate general linear models with sex and age group as fixed factors. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach`s alpha. Results: The enjoyment scale showed excellent internal consistency, while both affect subscales also demonstrated high internal consistency. No significant sex vs age group interactions were observed and enjoyment scores were high in both women and men. Overall, swimmers reported moderate positive affect and low negative affect during competition, with no differences between sexes or age groups. Conclusions: Portuguese master swimmers showed a favorable affective profile during competition, characterized by high enjoyment, moderate positive affect and low negative affect. These findings suggest that competitive swimming in masters is associated with a consistently positive emotional experience that may support long-term engagement in the sport.
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