Determinants and outcomes of sports club membership among adolescent girls (original) (raw)

What are groups all about—Basic principles of group work for health-related physical activity

Patient Education and Counseling, 1998

The basic group processes such as norms, roles, social support, and the developmental phases of a group are defined and applied to physical activity groups. Three kinds of groups are differentiated for the promotion of health-related physical activity: on-the-spot information in groups, traditional physical activity groups, and interactive promotional groups. The case is forwarded that in the promotion of physical activity group work is most effective, if it is based on mutual interaction between the group members and utilizes group processes. Arguments are presented for the advantage of interactive promotional groups to help people adopt health-related physical activities.

Understanding participation in sport and physical activity among children and adults: a review of qualitative studies

Health Education Research, 2006

Qualitative research may be able to provide an answer as to why adults and children do or do not participate in sport and physical activity. This paper systematically examines published and unpublished qualitative research studies of UK children's and adults' reasons for participation and non-participation in sport and physical activity. The review covers peer reviewed and gray literature from 1990 to 2004. Papers were entered into review if they: aimed to explore the participants' experiences of sport and physical activity and reasons for participation or non-participation in sport and physical activity, collected information on participants who lived in the United Kingdom and presented data collected using qualitative methods. From >1200 papers identified in the initial search, 24 papers met all inclusion criteria. The majority of these reported research with young people based in community settings. Weight management, social interaction and enjoyment were common reasons for participation in sport and physical activity. Concerns about maintaining a slim body shape motivated participation among young girls. Older people identified the importance of sport and physical activity in staving off the effects of aging and providing a social support network. Challenges to identity such as having to show others an unfit body, lacking confidence and competence in core skills or appearing overly masculine were barriers to participation.

Exploring participant appreciation of group-based principles for action in community-based physical activity programs for socially vulnerable groups in the Netherlands

BMC Public Health, 2015

Background: Physical inactivity is a core risk factor for non-communicable diseases. In the Netherlands, socially vulnerable groups are relatively less active than groups with higher socioeconomic status. Community-based health-enhancing physical activity (CBHEPA) programs aim to empower socially vulnerable groups by improving participants' health and wellbeing through physical activity. CBHEPA programs often revolve around group-based principles for action, such as active participation, enjoyment, and fostering group processes. As such principles are rarely made explicit, our study aims to identify which of the group-based principles for action are considered important by participants. Methods: Respondents (n = 76) from ten focus groups scored their individual appreciation of group-based principles for actionactive participation, enjoyment, and fostering group processeson a three-point, statementbased scale. Opinions were further discussed in the focus group. Focus group discussions were transcribed and analysed by a team of investigators. The coding procedures, identifying elements appreciated in group-based principles for action, were thematic and data driven. Results: Statements about participatory programming generated much less consensus in appreciation among respondents than statements about enjoyment and fostering group processes. To some extent, group members participated in the development of program content. Participation in group formation or community initiatives was less frequently perceived as something within group members' control. Enjoyment, expressed as physical and emotional experiences, was found to be an individual driver of group exercise. Fostering group processes, expressed as social support, was found to contribute to enjoyment and learning achievements. Responsive leadership, ensuring responsive guidance, by an enthusiastic exercise trainer acting as a role model, were identified as additional necessary principles for action. Conclusions: Group-based principles for action in CBHEPA programs are not clearly demarcated. Fostering group processes is an overarching principle, conditional for the spin-off in terms of enjoyment and active participation. This, in turn, leads to a sense of ownership among participants, who take up responsibility for the exercise group as well as their individual activity behaviour. CBHEPA programs thrive on participants having fun together and exercise trainers' leadership skills. A professional, competent, responsive exercise trainer plays a key role in the organisation and maintenance of CBHEPA programs.

Experiences With Social Participation in Group Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults

Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 2021

Little is known about how social participation can be facilitated among older adults in group physical activity and its psychosocial benefits that contribute to successful aging. This study aimed to understand older adults’ experiences with social participation in group physical activity programs. Using interpretive description methodology, 16 observations, eight focus groups, and two interviews with participants unable to attend focus groups were conducted with adults 55 years and older attending programs across four recreation facilities. Group programs were found to influence social participation through (a) a meaningful context for connecting and (b) instructors’ expectations of social interaction. Social participation in these programs addressed psychosocial needs by (c) increasing social contact and interaction, (d) fostering social relationships and belonging, and (e) promoting regular engagement. Training for instructors should include balancing the physical aspects of progr...

Part I. Physical Activity of Social and Professional Groups

2017

Authors’ contribution Wkład autorów: A. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych C. Data analysis/statistics dane – analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. Literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary Background. Sedentarism and Physical Activity (PA) are considered main components of people’s lifestyle and key indicators of health. Although they can be seen as opposite life conducts that reduce each other’s effects on health, no study has yet clarified the nature of their relation. However, both behaviors can be influenced by similar psychological, social, and environmental constructs. Material and methods. We selected 480 students (272 boys, 208 girls) from middle schools in the metropolitan area of Monterrey (Mexico), who filled in questionnaires on PA behaviors and social-environmental correlates th...

“Being or becoming physically active”: unpacking conceptions about objectives and methods in partnership-based alternative sports activities

European Journal for Sport and Society

Few intervention programmes focussing on increasing physical activity among children have been successful long term. It has also become increasingly common among scholars as well as politicians to advocate for organisations within a field to 'join up' to tackle social challenges. Research indicates that collaborative processes may entail challenges in implementing programmes informed by high quality knowledge. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine partner organisations' conceptions about objectives of an alternative sports programme, how such objectives are meant to be achieved, and how such conceptions may affect children's development of a physically active lifestyle. Qualitative content analysis revealed three underlying lines of thought regarding alternative activities for children, as follows: they should increase the member base through modifications; they should awaken the inherent desire to move through targeting motor skills; and they should transform sports clubs by providing an exercise arena. The article discusses how activities fail to consider children's predisposing factors and what implications this has for the work of promoting children's physical activity. Finally, we suggest that partnerships would benefit from applying a multi-leveled ecological model when designing programmes.

Exploring Perceived Sociocontextual Variables and Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction within Adult Group Exercise Classes

2018

How do professionals' behaviors and physical activity (PA) contexts relate with the motivational processes in adult recreational PA? Based on self-determination theory (SDT), this study investigates relationships between personal characteristics, environmental characteristics, sociocontextual variables (autonomy support, structure and involvement) and basic psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, competence and relatedness) in various adult PA groups. A sample constituted of 452 adults, enrolled in 44 different groups of PA, answered a questionnaire regarding sociocontextual variables and basic psychological needs. Comparative analysis and multiple regressions were used to explore relationships between the targeted variables. The results suggest that significant differences exist between some of the characteristics considered (e.g. participants’ age, frequency of PA, classes level of difficulty) and that a complex web of relationships surrounds the motivational processes in ...

Young People in the Social World of Physical Activities: Meanings and Barriers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Physical inactivity has become one of the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and death worldwide. From the future perspective it is alarming that in the group of young people few meet the recommendations. In this respect, physical activity promotion in general and physical education have challenges and new approaches are needed. In this study, the theoretical framework is based on the physical activity relationship (PAR) approach and the barriers were grouped according to the ecological model. The aim of the study was firstly to present both the meanings and barriers of physical activity in a comprehensive Finnish population of 11–15 year old (n = 2728) and secondly to examine how the number of important meanings and mentioned barriers associate with each other with physical activity levels. Data were collected using a questionnaire. To examine how the meanings and barriers associate with each other and with the PA level, chi-squared test (χ2), Pearson correla...

Framework for the design and delivery of organized physical activity sessions for children and adolescents: rationale and description of the 'SAAFE' teaching principles

The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 2017

The economic burden of inactivity is substantial, with conservative estimates suggesting the global cost to health care systems is more than US$50 billion. School-based programs, including physical education and school sport, have been recommended as important components of a multi-sector, multi-system approach to address physical inactivity. Additionally, community sporting clubs and after-school programs (ASPs) offer further opportunities for young people to be physically active outside of school. Despite demonstrating promise, current evidence suggests school-based physical activity programs, community sporting clubs and ASPs are not achieving their full potential. For example, physical activity levels in physical education (PE) and ASP sessions are typically much lower than recommended. For these sessions to have the strongest effects on young people's physical activity levels and their on-going physical literacy, they need to improve in quality and should be highly active a...

Leadership in physical activity groups for older adults: a qualitative analysis

Journal of aging and physical activity, 2004

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a theory-based framework could be used to deductively identify and understand the characteristics of motivational leaders of physical activity groups for older adults. Participants were 23 older adults (mean age = 78.5 +/- 8.0 years, 65% women). An interview-guide approach was employed to elicit older adults' thoughts on important characteristics of physical activity group leaders. The data suggested that effective leaders are those whom the participants feel are properly qualified, are able to develop a personal bond with participants, and can use their knowledge and the group to demonstrate collective accomplishments. It was concluded that the findings could be used to extend the leadership activities beyond the traditional technical performance and individual feedback to include activities of social integration. Furthermore, the conceptual framework identified can serve as a valuable tool in guiding future researchers in thei...