scholarly journals Sport policy and practice: Why a focus on retention is required for both health and performance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochelle Eime ◽  
Melanie Charity ◽  
Hans Westerbeek

Abstract Background: Australia like many developed countries is largely an inactive nation. Participation in sport, a form of leisure-time physical activity, can contribute to a range of individual and community health benefits. National sport policy often has a dual focus on population-based participation, and elite performance. Whist there are various sport models depicting the pathway to elite, there has been no strategic population-level sport participation pathway model developed as a guide towards increasing sport participation across the lifespan. The aim of this study therefore is to explore sport participation across the lifespan and develop a neutral model that does not favour community or elite sport and that highlights the critical participation transition points including drop-out. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal analysis of sport participation records for 8 major sports from 2015-2017, whereby individual participation within sports was tracked from 2015 and subsequent years 2016 and 2017. Results: The total number of participants analysed was 579,696. In 2017, port participation rates were highest for those aged 10-14 years (61.3%), followed by those children within the 5-9 year age group (51.7%). However, 44.7% of all participants dropped out within two years of the base year. From these participation rates across the lifespan in conjunction with the published literature, on sport policy and participation, we developed the Sport Participation Pathway Model (SPPM). The SPPM depicts current sport participation and in doing so emphasises the significant drop-out of sport across the lifespan. Conclusion: At a population level, competitive club-based sport alone is not going to solve the physical inactivity epidemic. Our SPPM, and the new (retention related) data presented in this paper, demonstrates the population trends in participation in sport and the high drop-out of competitive club-based sport. We suggest that for people to (eventually) become active sport participants, the (recruitment) narrative could be changed towards (first) engaging people in leisure time physical activities. We feel that this can only be done by developing an integrated policy system across the PA-sport spectrum rather than looking at sport participation in a closed (club-based) system. The SPPM can be used to developing a more integrated PA-Sport participation model.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochelle Eime ◽  
Melanie Charity ◽  
Hans Westerbeek

Abstract Background: Australia like many developed countries is largely an inactive nation. Participation in sport, a form of leisure-time physical activity, can contribute to a range of individual and community health benefits. National sport policy often has a dual focus on population-based participation, and elite performance. Whist there are various sport models depicting the pathway to elite, there has been no strategic population-level sport participation pathway model developed as a guide towards increasing sport participation. The aim of this study is to explore sport participation across age groups and develop a neutral (conceptual) model that does not favour community or elite sport and that highlights the critical participation transition points including drop-out, and specifically for children and youth. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal analysis of sport participation records for 8 major sports from 2015-2017 for children and young people aged 4-29 years. Individual participation within sports was tracked from 2015 and subsequent years 2016 and 2017. Results: The total number of participants was 579,696. Only half 50.8% played continuously for the three years, 44.7% dropped out, and 4.5 played discontinuously. Drop-out was highest for those aged 4 (57.0%), and lowest for those aged 10-14 years (39.3%). From the retention and drop-out participation patterns across the lifespan, in conjunction with the published literature on sport policy and participation, we developed the Sport Participation Pathway Model (SPPM). The SPPM conceptually depicts sport participation and in doing so emphasises the significant drop-out of sport. Conclusion: The retention data and the SPPM, demonstrates the trends in participation in sport and the high drop-out of competitive club-based sport. Those who manage and govern sport need to better recognise that club-based sport is merely one component of a range of leisure-time physical activities. If sport is to have an increased impact on making populations more active, then the evidence about the participation patterns and significant drop-out should be used to justify a re-focus on retention. We also recommend that the collection, analysis and reporting of longitudinal physical activity and sport participation data is expanded, to better serve policy evaluation and redirection.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochelle Eime ◽  
Melanie Charity ◽  
Hans Westerbeek

Abstract Background: Australia like many developed countries is largely an inactive nation. Participation in sport, a form of leisure-time physical activity, can contribute to a range of individual and community health benefits. National sport policy often has a dual focus on population-based participation, and elite performance. Whist there are various sport models depicting the pathway to elite, there has been no strategic population-level sport participation pathway model developed as a guide towards increasing sport participation across the lifespan. The aim of this study is to explore sport participation across the lifespan and develop a neutral (conceptual) model that does not favour community or elite sport and that highlights the critical participation transition points including drop-out. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal analysis of sport participation records for 8 major sports from 2015-2017 for children and young people aged 4-29 years. Individual participation within sports was tracked from 2015 and subsequent years 2016 and 2017. Results: The total number of participants was 579,696. Only half 50.8% played continuously for the three years, 44.7% dropped out, and 4.5 played discontinuously. Drop-out was highest for those aged 4 (57.0%), and lowest for those aged 10-14 years (39.3%). From the retention and drop-out participation patterns across the lifespan, in conjunction with the published literature on sport policy and participation, we developed the Sport Participation Pathway Model (SPPM). The SPPM conceptually depicts current sport participation and in doing so emphasises the significant drop-out of sport across the lifespan. Conclusion: Sport policy should focus on retention strategies. Further, a population level, competitive club-based sport alone is not going to solve the physical inactivity epidemic. Our SPPM, and the new (retention related) data presented in this paper, demonstrates the population trends in participation in sport and the high drop-out of competitive club-based sport. We suggest that for people to eventually become active sport participants, the recruitment narrative could be changed towards, first, engaging people in leisure time physical activities. We feel that this can only be done by developing an integrated policy system across the physical activity-sport spectrum rather than looking at sport participation in a closed (club-based) system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Westerbeek ◽  
Rochelle Eime

The changing social and policy context in which sport is produced, delivered, and consumed is considered as a foundation for proposing a new integrated framework that incorporates participation in sport with participation in leisure-time physical activity (PA) more broadly. In order to position sport in the broader context of leisure-time PA, the concept of physical literacy is reviewed and integrated into the theoretical foundations of a new lifespan framework. It is argued that historically, sport policy largely focused on competitive club-based sport and elite performance and that in line with this, talent development pathway models were developed and implemented. However, with increasing physical inactivity globally, these models do not apply to the general population. This is why we propose a population-based “whole of sport ecosystem” lifespan model—the Physical Activity and Sport Participation (PASP) framework. We conclude that this framework may serve as a holistic policy and implementation guide for all in the sport ecosystem. This includes governmental PA and sport policy makers, sport governing bodies and clubs, and the ever-increasing range of private PA and sport providers and also health agencies. In recognition of the changing patterns of participation in PA and sport across the lifespan, the PASP framework can contribute to coordinated and integrated PA and sport policy development, which, in turn, can lead to strategies that tackle the global physical inactivity crisis.


1985 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kari Fasting ◽  
Mari-Kristin Sisjord

This study attempts to measure quantitative and qualitative dimensions of leisure time in an effort to see how they are related to the sport participation rates of women and men. Using data collected from a sample of 83 women and 128 men—all of whom were employed, married parents—it was found that women did more housework than men did but the time spent on housework did not account for differences in participation rates for either women or men. Most important in explaining participation in sports among women was the average number of hours per week their spouses were away from home in the evenings. On the basis of these findings it was concluded that the quantitative dimensions of leisure were not associated with sport participation rates; however, the qualitative dimensions of leisure were associated with barriers to participation for women but not for men. The data suggested that compared to men, women were less likely to feel they had the freedom to participate in sport. This difference was explained in terms of a combination of factors including differential socialization and different patterns of motivation related to sport participation among women and men.


Author(s):  
LIM KHONG CHIU ◽  
KHOR POY HUA ◽  
RADZLIYANA RADZUWAN

The purpose of this study is to identify the infuence of attitude, self-effcacy, and motivation on leisure time physical activity and sport participation among students in the Malaysia public universities. The study sample comprised of 551 male and 801 female undergraduates who were selected by means of random cluster sampling. Questionnaires were utilized to collect data. The results of the study showed that there were positive correlations among leisure attitude, motivation, self-effcacy and leisure time physical activity and sport participation among undergraduate students. The results also revealed that motivation and self-effcacy were the best predictors of leisure time physical activity and sport participation. This study suggests that in the effort to encourage the student’s leisure time physical activity and sport participation and involvement, the university management should plan and organize programmes to develop positive attitude among students, increase their self- effcacy and motivation level of physical activity and sport participation.  


2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juvenal Soares Dias-da-Costa ◽  
Pedro Curi Hallal ◽  
Jonathan Charles Kingdon Wells ◽  
Tiago Daltoé ◽  
Sandra Costa Fuchs ◽  
...  

We aimed to measure the prevalence of physical inactivity (PI) during leisure time and to identify variables associated with it in a southern Brazilian adult population. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out, covering a multiple-stage sample of 1,968 subjects aged 20-69 years. Weekly participation in leisure-time physical activity was addressed. For each activity, energy expenditure was calculated using data on duration, metabolic equivalent, and body weight. Energy expenditures of individual activities were summed to give a weekly total. PI was defined as fewer than 1,000 kilocalories per week. The prevalence of PI was 80.7% (95%CI: 78.9-82.4). After adjusted analyses, the following variables were positively associated with the outcome: female gender, age, living with a partner, and smoking. Schooling and economic status were inversely associated with PI. Chronically undernourished individuals were significantly more likely to be inactive. We found no differences according to skin color or alcohol consumption. In conclusion, the prevalence of PI in this adult population was higher than in populations from developed countries, but the associated variables were similar.


1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara E. Ainsworth ◽  
Mark Richardson ◽  
David R. Jacobs ◽  
Arthur S. Leon

We examined gender differences in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in 50 women and 28 men using questionnaire data and identified how LTPA status may be misclassified based on physical activity questionnaire content. LTPA was determined using the Four Week Physical Activity History modification of the Minnesota LTPA questionnaire. LTPA was classified as total, light- (≤ 4.0 METS), moderate- (4.5-5.5 METS), and heavy-intensity (≥ 6.0 METs), and household LTPA. The questionnaire was administered 14 times (every 26 days). Scores were computed as kcal·day−1 and min·day−1 with the 14 visits averaged to yield one year LTPA scores. Skewed data were log-transformed and are presented as the geometric mean. There were no gender differences in kcal·day−1 for total- (385 vs 421), moderate- (28.2 vs 23.3), and light-intensity LTPA (72.2 vs 52.6, p > .05). Heavy-intensity LTPA was greater in men than in women (98.1 vs 50.5, p = 0.01), while household LTPA was greater in women than in men (238.2 vs 134.7, p < .0001). Omission of heavy-intensity LTPA from the questionnaire reduced total LTI’A by 25% in men and 12% in women. In contrast, omission of household LTPA reduced total LTPA by 35% in men and 57% in women. Thus LTPA may be underestimated and activity status misclassified if questionnaires fail to include activities with high gender-specific participation rates.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (s2) ◽  
pp. S204-S212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tales C. Amorim ◽  
Mario R. Azevedo ◽  
Pedro C. Hallal

Objective:To evaluate the association between the physical and social environment and physical activity (leisure-time and transport-related) in a population-based sample of adults.Methods:Cross-sectional study including 972 adults (20−69 years) living in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil. Physical activity was measured using the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Environmental variables were assessed using a modified version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale.Results:69.8% (95% CI = 66.9−72.7) and 51.9% (95% CI = 48.8−55.1) of the subjects did not reach 150 min/wk on leisure-time and transport-related physical activity, respectively. Subjects living near green areas were more likely to be active in leisure-time, as well as those who reported to live in safe neighborhoods. Transport-related physical activity was higher among individuals living in areas with garbage accumulation, and was lower among those living in neighborhoods which are difficult to walk or cycle due to traffic. Social support was strongly associated with leisure-time physical activity.Conclusions:Safety investments, which are urgently required in Brazil, are likely to have a desirable side effect at increasing physical activity at the population level. Building enjoyable and safe public spaces for physical activity practice must be prioritized.


2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlos Rodrigues Domingues ◽  
Aluísio J D Barros

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity during pregnancy is a poorly investigated subject on population level. The study aimed to describe duration, type and frequency of leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy, and to explore its associated factors. METHODS: A population-based study was carried out during 2004 in Southern Brazil. A total of 4,471 mothers were interviewed soon after delivery. Physical activity was measured using a questionnaire, developed for the study. Results were obtained by Poisson regression. RESULTS: In the sample, 14.8% of women reported to engage in some type of physical activity prior to pregnancy and 12.9% during pregnancy. In the first trimester, 10.4% of all mothers engaged in some type of physical activity; 8.5% in the second trimester and 6.5% in the third trimester. Only 194 mothers (4.3%) were active during the whole pregnancy. In the adjusted analysis, leisure-time physical activity was positively associated with schooling, physical activity advice during prenatal care, and family income (p<0.001), being employed during pregnancy (p=0.05), and number of pregnancies (p=0.02). Walking was the most frequent activity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of leisure-time physical activity is low among Brazilian pregnant women. Although physical activity is not perceived as being pregnancy-threatening, and current guidelines recommend it, this population's behavior does not seem to be changing. Active lifestyle for both pregnant women and future mothers should be encouraged.


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