Empirical Support for the Tenets of Sport Participation and Physical Activity-Based Models: A Scoping Review.

François Gallant,Mathieu Bélanger

doi:10.3389/fspor.2021.741495

François Gallant, Mathieu Bélanger

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.741495

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Abstract

Notwithstanding their wide-spread use, it is unclear what level of empirical evidence exists to support sport participation and physical activity-based models. Sport participation and physical activity-based models characterize different stages of sport involvement based on sport activities (organized and unorganized) individuals take part in throughout their lifespan. The objectives of this scoping review was to explore the nature of empirical support for tenets of sport participation and physical activity-based models describing the evolution of an individuals' sport participation. Seventeen different sport participation models were identified through an iterative literature review, using a snowball search strategy and expert (n = 8) consultation. Of the identified models, three described the evolution of an individual's sport participation based on their participation in different activities at various stages of sport involvement and were retained for the review. A second literature review identified peer-reviewed publications supporting at least one tenet of these three models. Many tenets of retained models received some empirical support from some of the 38 publications identified, but some tenets were not tested. Most of the evidence supporting tenets originated from studies among elite-level athletes. Whereas some evidence exists to support current sport participation and physical activity models, more research is warranted, particularly among the general population of non-elite athletes, for the models to be used in full confidence to guide sport policies, programs, and practices.

Highlights

Several authors have expressed that sport participation research is held back by insufficient details on the characterization of sport involvement of participants (Agans and Geldhof, 2012; Coalter, 2015; Evans et al, 2017; Robertson et al, 2019; Mosher et al, 2020)
Two overarching phases were used: First, we identified models that relate to sport participation in the literature and retained those that described the evolution of an individual’s sport participation over time
Content Validation The snowball strategy described above led to the identification of 16 models that relate to sport participation

Summary

Introduction

Several authors have expressed that sport participation research is held back by insufficient details on the characterization of sport involvement of participants (Agans and Geldhof, 2012; Coalter, 2015; Evans et al, 2017; Robertson et al, 2019; Mosher et al, 2020). Given the importance of sport participation for improved physical (Hebert et al, 2015, 2016) and mental health (Eime et al, 2013; Evans et al, 2017), there is a need to Support for Sport Participation Models improve the characterization of sport involvement in the general population This could increase understanding of the development of sport participation by providing insight into patterns associated with long-term involvement in sport and physical activity. Sport participation and physical activitybased models characterize different stages of sport involvement based on sport activities (organized and unorganized) individuals take part in at different age markers (Côté et al, 2007; Balyi et al, 2013) These models help explain how an individuals’ sport participation can take shape over time by suggesting different pathways of sport participation. Whereas sport participation and physical activity-based models attempt to describe patterns of sport or physical activity participation throughout various stages of life, other models seek to describe how various specific factors (e.g., psychological characteristics Abbott and Collins, 2004, participation environment Henriksen et al, 2010a, career transition Stambulova et al, 2009, motor skill acquisition Starkes et al, 2004) may facilitate or hinder talent development or identification, typically among elite athletes

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