The Physical Activity and Sport Participation Framework-A Policy Model Toward Being Physically Active Across the Lifespan.

Hans Westerbeek,Rochelle Eime

doi:10.3389/fspor.2021.608593

Abstract

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.

Highlights

The populations of developed and developing nations are becoming increasingly inactive, and increasing proportions of populations do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines
The aim of this paper is to propose a populationbased integrated framework that incorporates sport participation and engagement in PA, to match societal change and the evolving sport policy mandate of the new “sport.” The elite focused models fail to capitalize on pursuing objectives that seek to increase physical literacy levels, which indirectly can lead to higher levels of PA and sport participation and improved individual and community health
We incorporate existing theory and insights from the Sport Participation Pathway Model (SPPM) model into the conceptual development of our integrated PA and sport framework, the Physical Activity Sport Participation framework (PASP), which we propose can assist with connecting sport policy to developing and implementing population-based PA strategies

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The populations of developed and developing nations are becoming increasingly inactive, and increasing proportions of populations do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. This has led to overweight and obesity becoming the leading risk factor for ill health in developed nations such as the USA and Australia (Australian Institute of Health Welfare, 2018). Increasing chronic disease and an aging population are putting extreme pressure on health costs with a conservative estimated cost of physical inactivity globally on the health care systems of (INT$) 54 billion in 2013 (Ding et al, 2016)

Physical Activity and Sport Participation

THE PATTERN OF SPORT PARTICIPATION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

INTRODUCING THE FOUNDATIONS TO THE PASP FRAMEWORK

INTERNATIONAL TREND ANALYSIS IN REGARD TO SPORT AND PA POLICY INTEGRATION

Findings

CONCLUSION