Changes In Sports Participation Research Articles

Sport participation levels among New York City’s kids remain low months after the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreased sports participation due to social distancing policies and strict return-to-play protocols. This effect has been felt profoundly in New York City, one of the earliest COVID-19 hotspots, even as restrictions have eased. This study aimed to describe sport participation rates in New York City before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a cross-sectional, online retrospective survey, this study assessed sports participation among children aged 6–17 with musculoskeletal complaints. The survey included parents and guardians of 242 children (123 males, 119 females) who had an average age of 12.5 years. Statistical analyses were performed using McNemar’s test to assess changes in sports participation. The results revealed significant decreases in participation in gym class, pick-up games, basketball, and soccer after the pandemic. Notably, female adolescents were more affected, particularly in gym class. This study underscores a substantial decline in specific sports participation among New York City’s kids post-pandemic. The findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies to encourage physical activity.

Poster 212: Ischial Tuberosity Avulsion Fractures: Treatment and Return to Sport in Athletes with Displaced Fragments

Objectives: Ischial tuberosity avulsion fractures are relatively rare injuries that typically occur in young athletes during activity. Some of these patients may experience significant morbidity, often through chronic pain and changes in sports participation. The influence of fragment displacement on optimal treatment and proper return to sport protocol has not been well investigated. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between displacement and both choice of treatment and time to return to sport. Methods: Retrospective analysis of ischial tuberosity avulsion fractures in pediatric patients between 2010-2021 at Boston Children’s Hospital was completed. Information regarding demographics, treatment, and recovery were extracted from individual patient charts. Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed in order to measure fragment displacement at the ischial apophysis. Treatment protocol, return to sport (RTS) time, and complications were analyzed. Results: Eighty-eight patients with a diagnosis of an ischial tuberosity avulsion fracture were identified. Of these, 64 (73%) were treated non-operatively, 8 (9%) were treated acute operatively (within 6 weeks), and 16 (18%) were treated chronic operatively (>6 weeks). Imaging for measurement of fragment displacement was available for 86 (98%) of patients. The median displacement was 0.2cm for the non-operative group, 2.2cm for the acute operative group, and 1.5 for the chronic operative group. Of the 86 patients with available imaging, 67 (78%) had a RTS time. The median RTS was 3.6 months in the non-operative group, 5.5 months in the acute operative group, and 13.3 months in the chronic operative group. Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort study, nearly all fractures with displacement >= 1.0cm were surgically treated, either acutely or at a delayed time point. All patients that underwent acute operation had displacement > 1.0cm, while 87% of those undergoing delayed operation had displacements > 1.0cm. Those treated non-operatively returned to sport about 1 month earlier than those undergoing acute operation, and several months prior to those who underwent delayed surgical intervention. This data suggests that patients with displacement less than 1.0cm may be successfully treated through non-operative treatment and those with displacement greater than this should undergo operative treatment in the acute period to optimize outcome and return to sport.

Mothers, social capital and children’s physical literacy journeys in rural Australia

ABSTRACT In rural communities in Australia, the provision of sport and physical activities for children almost exclusively relies upon parents and their ability to access and contribute to facilities, funding, volunteers, and administration. This paper brings Putnam’s social capital framework to Whitehead’s conceptualisation of physical literacy as a journey to offer original insight into children’s sport participation and the opportunities arising for physical literacy development in rural communities in Australia. Changes in sport participation in Australia and directions in sport policy set an important context for the project, which is located in a small rural community in Western Australia. It was recognised that access to and engagement with both formal and informal sport environments were important to examine, particularly given participation trends and the need to consider issues of equity and inclusivity concerning the physical literacy opportunities for children in diverse rural communities. Narrative inquiry methodology enabled in-depth exploration of issues of access and opportunity created through rural mothers’ social resources and identity. Participants provided rich insights into the realities and complexities of the rural social landscape and how this impacts their children’s participation. Data illustrates the importance of conceptual links between social capital and physical literacy development. The paper provides new perspectives for policymakers and the local community to consider in seeking more significant equity in children’s sport participation and physical literacy development in rural communities.

Why Do New Parents Stop Practising Sport? A Retrospective Study towards the Determinants of Dropping Out after Becoming a Parent.

Despite the known health benefits of sport, recent studies showed that parenthood is related to decreased sport participation. Changes in sport behaviour after becoming a parent have been explained by gender or with the rational resource perspective of limited time and energy. However, the latter is mostly theoretical, since empirical insights on resource mechanisms are scarce. We want to improve and go beyond these explanations by investigating them empirically and by examining sport socialisation during the formative years as an alternative explanation. Consequently, our main objective is to explain changes in sport participation after becoming a parent with gender, limited resources and socialisation with sport. To this end, we employ representative Dutch survey data of new parents (n = 594), containing detailed information on sport careers and sport socialisation, as well as babysitter availability, partner support and physical discomfort after childbirth. The results of the logistic regression analyses show that, besides gender and resource mechanisms, sport socialisation and social support seem to have a great impact on sport behaviour when people become parents. That is, men are more likely to continue sport participation, as well as people with more resources (physical, temporal and social) and more socialisation with sport during the formative years. So including sport socialisation and social support seems necessary to better explain and prevent sport dropout during major life transitions, like becoming a parent.

Changes in Sports Participation, Specialization, and Burnout From 7th to 12th Grade: Final Results From a 6-Year Longitudinal Study.

Previous studies show alarming rates of burnout and dropout from sports participation and physical activity in the youth population. Early sports specialization may increase the risk of injury, burnout, and eventual dropout from sports. Sports participation will decrease, specialization will increase, and burnout will increase from junior high to high school. Prospective longitudinal study. Level 2b. The graduating class of 2023 was surveyed longitudinally in the fall of each school year from 7th to 12th grade (n = 35-77 from middle to high school based on new enrollment participants and attrition). Survey questions asked about sports participation, specialization, and burnout. Responses were analyzed by grade level using mixed effects linear and logistic regression accounting for repeated measures. The number of days per week in which students engaged in at least 60 minutes of strenuous exercise progressively decreased from 7th through 12th grade from 4.0 to 2.3 days per week (P < 0.01). The percentage of students participating in sports also decreased from 7th to 12th grade from 82% to 39% (P < 0.01). More students stopped participating in a sport (38% vs 22% to 29%, P = 0.04), quit a sport to focus on a single sport (60% vs 46% to 49%, P = 0.01), or reported that 1 sport was most important to them (71% vs 54% to 67%, P = 0.06) in 9th grade. Burnout in sports did not differ significantly by grade level (19% to 23%, P > 0.99). In contrast, burnout in school was significantly more common in high school (54% to 69%) compared with middle school (36%, P < 0.01). Burnout in school was higher in female students compared with male students (68% vs 38%, P < 0.01). Organized sports participation and general physical activity decreased from middle to high school, with the entry into high school at 9th grade being a time at which a significant number of students dropped other sports to specialize in a single sport or stopped participating. Burnout in sports did not appear to increase with age; however, there was an increase in school-related burnout as students transitioned from middle to high school. Our results highlight the need for continued research into sports participation, specialization, and burnout in adolescents. In addition, health professionals and the community (parents, coaches, teachers) supporting youth athletes may consider positive interventions during the periods of transition from middle to high school to include facilitating different tracks of sports participation (including a developmental or recreational model of play) to reduce dropout from sport and supportive measures to lessen burnout from sports and from school.

Trends in sports participation in adolescents: Data from a large-scale sample in the US adolescents.

Although changes in overall physical activity (PA) have been identified in adolescents, the trend in sports participation is still understudied. It is widely believed that monitoring the changes in sports participation is conducive to promote the development of sports activities. The purpose of this research was to identify the changes in sports participation in adolescents over the past years. This research selected secondary data from 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS). Logistic regression models were applied to discuss and analyze the secular changes across the years of data. The change differences in sports participation by sex, grade, and race/ethnicity were also explored via separate logistic regression. A declined overall trend could be observed in sports participation in adolescents, the prevalence of sport participation was 58.4% in 2011 and 57.4% in 2019. The declining trend was also observed in grades 10 (62.3% in 2011 and 57.9% in 2019) and 12 (52.5% in 2011 and 49.8% in 2019) adolescents, and an increase could be observed in grade 11 (56.2% in 2011 and 59.1% in 2019) adolescents, but few changes were found in grade 9 (61.4% in 2011 and 61.9% in 2019) adolescents. Only white adolescents reported an increasing prevalence of sports participation, slight declines in sports participation were observed in black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, and other adolescents. The declining trend in sports participation could be seen in adolescents between 2011 and 2019, but it should also note that large variations of trends in sport participation by subgroups were also found.

Health and democratization as contradictory policy goals: sport in Zaragoza city

This paper examines the incompatibility of health and democratization policy goals in the promotion of sport and physical activity. Empirically the paper is based on a comparison of two population surveys (2009 and 2015) of behaviours and attitudes within a single city. Theoretically the paper extends previous explanations that have attributed changes in sports participation to differentiation and individualization by drawing on the works of Elias and Bourdieu in relation to social classes and embodied behaviour. The data reveal the changing social structure of participation, the relative popularity of different types of sport and peoples’ attitudes towards being physically active. Specifically, the paper demonstrates that while sports participation has increased overall, the participation patterns of different social groups have become increasingly differentiated. It further argues that while the increase in health-oriented sports participation is partly driven by citizens’ desires to self-regulate the body, the goals of democratizing sports participation are less likely to be achieved. In conclusion we suggest that while sports participation aligns closely with broader trends towards bodily and health self-management, health has concomitantly become an increasingly important marker of social stratification which thus counteracts the movement towards the democratization of sports participation.

From inspiration to nostalgia: the football participation legacy of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan

ABSTRACTMass sport participation as a legacy of sports mega-events has been emphasized among scholars for decades. However, little is known about its effect in East Asian countries, especially Japan and South Korea, two major hosts of such events. Therefore, this study examines the causal connection between the 2002 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup Korea/Japan and football participation in the host countries. It is the first to use an empirical analysis based on the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and one of the few that combines the psychological constructs of inspiration and nostalgia to determine if they translate into behavioural changes in sport participation. Additionally, the study identifies the differences in the World Cup’s spectatorship type and nationality. The results revealed that both inspiration and nostalgia evoked by the 2002 World Cup positively influenced football participation. However, not many differences were found in spectatorship pattern nor nationality.

Jump Training Improves Psychological Impairments and Facilitates Greater Sports Participation in Athletes with ACL Reconstruction

PURPOSE: About 35% of athletes with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction fail to return to their preinjury level of sports participation. Psychological factors, such as fear of reinjury, often prevent athletes who wish to return to their sport from achieving their goal. Limited evidence is available to direct patient care to target these psychological impairments. Most ACL injuries are non-contact in nature and typically occur during a deceleration task such as jump landing. We propose that training focused on improving jump landing performance will improve psychological factors and facilitate increased sports participation. METHODS: Forty-eight athletes completed screening tests an average of 2 years after unilateral ACLR (Wk0). Testing included the ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL- RSI) scale as measure of psychological readiness for sports participation. Athletes (n = 25, 9 men, age = 23 ± 5 yr) who scored below normative ACL-RSI recovery standards (<65%) completed 8 weeks of twice-weekly jump landing training. Retesting occurred at midtraining (Wk4), posttraining (Wk8), and 2 months after training (Wk16). Athletes answered a survey measuring perceived changes in sports participation at the end of training. Changes observed during training were determined via repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: ACL-RSI scores improved substantially throughout treatment (mean ± SD; Wk0: 53 ± 18%, Wk4: 67 ± 15%, Wk8: 76 ± 16%; p<0.001). Treatment benefits were maintained over the retention period (Wk16: 81 ± 15%; p=0.052). Four out of 5 athletes trained report that they were more likely to participate in their sports activities after training and two thirds of the cohort described at least a moderate increase in their sports participation. CONCLUSIONS: Progressively dosed jump training that focuses on correcting aberrant landing movements is effective at addressing psychological factors in athletes who self-identified as having limited readiness for sport. The training was also effective at facilitating increased sports participation. Clinicians should consider implementing similar jump training interventions to help athletes who are struggling to return to their desired sports participation because of limited confidence or high fear of reinjury. Funded in part by the Foundation for Physical Therapy.

Changes in Sports Participation across Transition to Retirement: Modification by Migration Background and Acculturation Status.

While total physical activity decreases over the life course, sports and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) have shown to increase after transition to retirement. This paper aimed to investigate whether this change in sports participation differs (1) between non-migrant persons (NMP) versus persons with a migrant background (PMB), and (2) by acculturation status. Data was drawn from 16 waves of the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) including 2664 NMP and 569 PMB. PMB were grouped according to acculturation status (integrated, assimilated, marginalised, separated), assessed regarding three dimensions (language, social interaction and identification). We applied multilevel logistic regression models, adjusting for sex, retirement age, socioeconomic status, health status and body mass index. Our results show that (1) transition to retirement led to an increase in the sports participation of NMP during the first 5 years and the subsequent 5 years after retirement. Changes in sports participation were modified by migration status: In PMB sports participation increased to a lesser extent than in NMP. (2) While sports participation of integrated PMB was not significantly different from NMP in the preretirement phase, sports participation among integrated PMB increased less after retirement compared with NMP. Marginalized and assimilated PMB did not show consistent sports participation patterns before retirement, but seemingly increased their sports participation less than NMP over the retirement transition. Separated PMB had particularly low levels of sports participation. Considering that LTPA is a key factor for healthy ageing, the increasing gap in levels of sports participation after transition to retirement indicates the need for interventions targeting physical activity of the older migrant population.

Impact of physical activity domains on subsequent physical activity in youth: a 5-year longitudinal study

ABSTRACTThis study evaluates how domains of physical activity (PA) in youth predict later PA and assesses factors influencing changes in sports participation. Young people from the Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity study (n = 873; baseline age 10–18 years; 30.4% male) completed self-report surveys in 2009 and 2014. In a multiple linear regression analysis, participation frequency in club sport (β = 0.18) and extracurricular sport (β = 0.13) significantly predicted PA 5 years later, adjusted for age, sex and urban/rural classification (P < 0.01). Overall, rates of regular (at least once per week) youth sports participation were high (males 79.3–85.5%; females 74.8–83.2%). Uptake and dropout of specific sports varied widely. Despite high levels of migration into and out of Gaelic games, they remained popular at follow-up. Weight training was the only sport that increased in both sexes (P < 0.05). Fitness, friends and enjoyment were top motivations for taking up a new sport. Other commitments, a lack of interest and time were important factors leading to sports dropout. PA promotion strategies should include youth sport, take into consideration what sports are attractive to young people and address reasons for uptake and dropout.

Can we consider changes in sports participation as institutional change? A conceptual framework

The aim of this paper is to gain conceptual understanding of changes in leisure-time sports participation (LTSP) as an issue of institutional change. The study is elaborated in the LTSP research context of Flanders (Belgium) and Denmark. Data originate from the Flemish Household Study on Sports Participation (1969, 1979, 1989, 1999, 2009), Danish National Surveys on Sports Participation (1964, 1975, 1993, 1998, 2007, 2011) and the Flemish Participation Survey on Culture, Youth, Sports and Media (2009). A theoretical framework on institutional change is outlined to frame developments in the organisation of LTSP. Next, empirical evidence on changes in LTSP is presented based on time-trend observations and an in-depth analysis of profiles of participants in different organisational settings. The developments seem to reflect post-modern and post-materialist values that are linked to the theory of institutional change. The final part of the paper links changes in leisure-time sports participation to institutional theory in a conceptual framework of ‘greedy’ and ‘light’ institutions. The dynamic character of the framework suggests that both processes of deinstitutionalisation and reinstitutionalisation occur in the field of LTSP. The interpretation of institutional logics related to processes of change may inspire LTSP research from different perspectives.

Maternal and paternal beliefs, support and parenting as determinants of sport participation of adolescents with asthma

Rationale: Few studies have examined determinants of physical activity in patients with chronic illnesses, like asthma. The aim of this study was to examine whether baseline maternal and paternal beliefs, support and parenting were associated with changes in sport participation of adolescents with asthma, and investigate the moderating effect of sex. Methods: In a population-based cohort study, during home visits in 2012 and 2013, 253 adolescents completed a questionnaire assessing their sport participation. Both parents reported their sport-specific parenting (support, general and asthma-specific beliefs, self-efficacy to encourage sport participation). The collected data was described using descriptive statistics. Path and multi-group analyses were used to examine whether baseline parental factors predicted change in adolescent sport participation, multi-group analyses examined the moderating effect of sex. For all analyses probability p value less than the accepted level of significance α = 0.05 (p < 0.05) were taken as significant effects. Results: Few parental factors associated with changes in sport participation of the adolescents, sex did not moderate the associations. In the fully adjusted models, only maternal asthma-specific beliefs about sport participation were significantly positively associated with change in adolescent sport participation. Conclusion: Sport-specific parenting does not appear to be a determinant of sport participation in adolescents with asthma. Future research should consider other individual, social and environmental determinants to inform intervention development.

Associations between sports participation and psychological difficulties during childhood: A two-year follow up

This paper assessed the associations between sports participation and the development of psychological strengths and difficulties during childhood. Two-year follow up study of a sample of 4042 Australian children who were followed from age 8 years to 10 years. Parents reported children's participation in organised sports, and completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Univariate general linear models were used to examine the association between changes in sports participation and psychological strengths and difficulties at 10 years, adjusting for psychological strengths and difficulties at age 8. Children who maintained participation in sport had lower rates of parent-reported psychological difficulties at 10 years compared with children who dropped out of sport. Less internalising problems were also reported for children who participated in organised sports compared to children who dropped out of sports and children who did not participate in sports. These relationships did not differ by BMI, socioeconomic status, or parental education. Greater psychological difficulties are experienced by children who drop out of sports, and greater social and emotional problems are experienced by children who drop out of sports and who do not participate in organised sports. Due consideration should be given to the quality and implementation of sporting programs to ensure that they provide benefits to mental health. Due consideration should also be given to the potential psychological difficulties being experienced by children who drop out of organised sports as a higher level of psychological difficulties may be experienced prior to or subsequent to dropout.

Online registration of monthly sports participation after anterior cruciate ligament injury: a reliability and validity study

BackgroundThe current methods measuring sports activity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury are commonly restricted to the most knee-demanding sports, and do not consider participation in multiple sports. We therefore...

Rio 2016 and the sport participation legacies

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions held by physical education professionals of the sport participation legacy associated with the 2016 Olympic Games (Rio 2016). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 professionals who resided in Rio de Janeiro at the time of the study. In general, apart from the tangible legacies, individuals were completely unaware of what is being proposed by the different levels of government and the organising committee to maximise the potential benefits of the event for the local community. According to participants, the local population was never consulted about, or properly informed of, what was involved in staging the event and its planned legacies. The perceptions of post-Games changes in sport participation, using the 2007 Rio de Janeiro Pan-American Games as a point of comparison, ranged from no impact to a short-term increase. The reason for this, according to participants, was the lack of long-term planning and policies to encourage and promote sport participation. In conclusion, in order for benefits of mega events to be leveraged, the different levels of government need to develop long-term actions and policies to encourage sports participation in conjunction with the employment of the infrastructural legacy towards this end.

Mediators of the effect of the JUMP-in intervention on physical activity and sedentary behavior in Dutch primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged neighborhoods

BackgroundImportant health benefits can be achieved when physical activity in children from low socio-economic status is promoted and sedentariness is limited. By specifying the mediating mechanisms of existing interventions one can improve future physical activity interventions. This study explored potential mediators of the long-term effect of the school-based multicomponent JUMP-in intervention on sport participation, outdoor play and screen time in Dutch primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged neighborhoods.MethodsIn total, 600 primary schoolchildren (aged 9.8 ± 0.7, 51% girls, 13% Dutch ethnicity, 35% overweight) from 9 intervention and 10 control schools were included in the analyses. JUMP-in was developed using Intervention Mapping, and targeted psychological and environmental determinants of physical activity. Outcome behaviors were self-reported sport participation, outdoor play, TV-viewing behavior and computer use. Potential mediators were self-reported psychological, social and physical environmental factors.ResultsJUMP-in was effective in improving sport participation after 20 months, but not in improving outdoor play, or reducing TV-viewing or computer time. JUMP-in was not effective in changing hypothesized mediators so no significant mediated effects could be identified. However, changes in self-efficacy, social support and habit strength were positively associated with changes in sport participation, and changes in social support, self-efficacy, perceived planning skills, enjoyment and habit strength were positively associated with changes in outdoor play. Changes in enjoyment was positively associated with changes in TV-viewing while parental rules were negatively associated. Having a computer in the bedroom and enjoyment were positively associated with changes in computer use, while changes in parental rules were negatively associated.ConclusionsBesides a significant positive effect on sports participation, no significant intervention effect on outdoor play, screen time or any of the potential mediators was found. This suggest that other (unmeasured) factors operated as mediating mechanisms of the intervention, that we used unsuccessful intervention strategies, that the strategies were inappropriately implemented, or that children are unable to accurately recall past activities and cognitions. Additionally, the school setting might not be the sole channel to influence leisure time activities. Still, several personal and environmental constructs were found to be relevant in predicting change in sport participation, outdoor play and screen behavior and seem to be potential mediators. Future interventions are recommended including more effective strategies targeting these relevant constructs, addressing different constructs (e.g. pedagogic skills of parents), and focusing on different implementation settings.Trail registrationISRCTN17489378

Three generations of Lancashire women

In 1914 opportunities for working-class women's sports participation were limited and peripheral, but the 1980s, policy reforms resulted in the then Sports Council identifying women as a ‘target group’. Subsequently the notion that barriers to women's participation are issues to be identified and resolved has become commonplace in contemporary sports participation and development. In this paper I wish to track the changes in sports participation in the lives of a group of Lancashire women over the last 98 years, from 1914 to the present day. I do this from a personal perspective by exploring the life history of my grandmother and mother and interweaving this with an autoethnographic narrative of my own experiences. I document the changes from an individual who had no opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity, through to myself who has achieved a career based upon it. These three sporting histories illustrate the shift in women's participation from overt marginalisation from the sports arena to greater acceptance. This change in opportunities to enter the male-dominated world of sport is due to various socio-historical factors. In terms of changes in the broader historical context, women have the vote, legislated rights and the hegemonic dominance of men's sport has been challenged and resisted. In the more specific context of my family history, upward social mobility has opened up both educational and sporting opportunities for me which were not available to my working-class parents or grandparents. These opportunities have enabled me to enjoy a lifestyle which would have been inconceivable for my grandmother. By exploring our sporting histories and, through them, the changes in working-class women's lives in the United Kingdom more generally, my aim is to recognise that the previous generations' struggle for the opportunity to take part in sport has afforded benefits for my generation.

The trend in sport participation among Dutch retirees, 1983–2007

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the trend in sport participation among retirees between 1983 and 2007. Sport participation is important for retirees because of its health benefits and the opportunities it offers for social interaction. Factors that influence sport participation such as educational level, physical limitations, and occupational background have changed during the last decades, possibly accounting for changes in sport participation. Data are from the Amenities and Services Utilization Survey (AVO), a nationally representative Dutch survey with seven observations between 1983 and 2007. The trend in sport involvement, sports club membership, and competition was investigated in a sample of 2,497 male and 1,559 female retirees aged 58–67 years. Increases in participation were observed in sport involvement and sports club membership. This trend can partially be explained by increases in educational level, decreases in the number of retirees with physical limitations, and in those retiring from sedentary jobs. Yet, sport participation seems to have increased for all retirees, regardless of their socio-economic background and health status. Alternative explanations for the observed trend are discussed.

A growth curve to model changes in sport participation in adolescent boys

The aims of this study are twofold: (1) to present the latent growth model, its strategy and usefulness in modelling sport participation over a 6-year period in youngsters (2) and to study the impact of biological maturation in sport participation changes. A standardized sport participation questionnaire using h/week/year as the unit of analysis was applied to 588 Belgium boys 13-18 years of age followed longitudinally for 6 years. Skeletal age was used to estimate biological maturation. Growth curve modelling with robust estimation was used. Sport participation changes showed a curvilinear trend: baseline values (3.18+/-0.13 h/week/year), a linear trend that indicates the rate of change (0.70+/-0.11) and a quadratic trend indicating deceleration, i.e. a change in the rate of change (-0.07+/-0.02) were all statistically significant (P<0.05), as well as inter-individual differences in these three parameters. Up to 16.8 years, the rate of sports participation increased 0.70 h/week/year and then declined. Biological maturation did not show any association with adolescent changes in sport participation.