Social Capital and Running: A Network Social Capital Perspective

Shang-Chun Ma,Kyriaki Kaplanidou

doi:10.3390/su132212398

Shang-Chun Ma, Kyriaki Kaplanidou

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212398

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Abstract

This study examines the measurement of position generators as a proxy of network social capital (NSC) and its influence on the extensity and upper reachability of social capital and sport/running participation. An analysis of 373 runners shows that running exercise participants rely on diverse relations to access and increase their social capital levels; stronger ties with the accessed occupations via running activities can help reach people with higher occupational prestige; access to more intermediate class occupations is significantly positively associated with upper reachability, whereas access to more working class occupations is significantly negatively associated with upper reachability; those who are older and have strong ties with people in accessed occupations known via running activities have higher levels of sport/running participation. We provide evidence for the application of NSC theory in sport to better understand how social networks operate by accessing extensity and upper reachability of social capital and how NSC influences sport (running) participation.

Highlights

IntroductionOne important social impact of sport participation is the development of social capital [4], which can increase social connectedness, a sense of belonging [5], and trust [6]
To test RQ2, we examined the effects of network social capital (NSC), which was measured with upper reachability and social class along with social relations, tie strength, and social class on sport participation
To assess the influence of network social capital on personal participation in running exercise, this study examined the association among extensity, upper reachability, social class, social relations, and tie strength and found that strong ties with people in the running community influence engagement frequency in running

Summary

Introduction

One important social impact of sport participation is the development of social capital [4], which can increase social connectedness, a sense of belonging [5], and trust [6]

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Conclusion