Differences In Sport Participation Research Articles

Does parental origin-country culture affect the gender gap in sport participation? A study of immigrant youth in Italy

ABSTRACT This research delves into the gender disparities observed in sport participation among immigrant groups, aiming to enhance our understanding of the underlying factors contributing to these gaps. Specifically, the study examines the impact of parental origin-country gender inequality and Muslim majority (‘cultural legacy’) and the adaptation to host country norms across immigrant generations (‘cultural dynamics’). Utilizing nationally representative survey data encompassing 28,000 first- and second-generation immigrant youth from 32 distinct origin groups in Italy, we uncover evidence regarding the influence of parental origin-country culture on sport participation. Notably, immigrant youth with parents hailing from more conservative countries exhibit wider gender gaps in sports involvement. Additionally, we observe heightened gender differences in sport participation among youth whose parents were born and raised in Muslim-majority nations. Furthermore, our findings underscore the presence of cultural dynamics, as second-generation immigrant boys and girls display a significantly greater likelihood of engaging in sports compared to their first-generation counterparts. Notably, girls experience the most substantial gains in sport activity across generations. The results suggest that second-generation immigrant youth, particularly those with mixed heritage, assimilate the cultural practices of their host society while diminishing the impact of the parental origin country on sport participation choices.

Do differences in sport participation contribute to socioeconomic health inequalities? Evidence from the Lifelines cohort study on all-cause mortality, diabetes and obesity

Little is known about the role of sport participation in socioeconomic health inequalities. We studied the association between different aspects of sport participation with all-cause mortality, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity, including inequalities between socioeconomic subpopulations. Using the Dutch Lifelines cohort study (n = 84,230), we assessed the associations of sport participation, as well as the amount, intensity, type and number of sports, with all-cause mortality, T2DM and obesity in individuals. We studied the effect of sport participation on health outcomes within and between educational categories. Outcomes were compared with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Sport participation was significantly associated with lower mortality (HR = 0.81), T2DM (HR = 0.70), and obesity (HR = 0.77). No significant additional effects of the amount or intensity of sport participation were found, while participating in teams sport was associated with significantly lower mortality (HR = 0.53) compared with other types of sport. These effects were similar among educational categories. Sport participation explained between 11% (T2DM and obesity) and 22% (mortality) of health inequalities between educational categories. This was more than twice the effect size of MVPA. The sensitivity analysis with net income as the socioeconomic indicator showed similar results. Our results suggest that to reduce socioeconomic differences in health, public health policies should focus on increasing sport participation in groups with a low socioeconomic status, rather than increasing the amount or intensity of sport participation, or MVPA in general.

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.

Gender Differences In Sport And Physical Activity Participation In Children With Type 1 Diabetes

It is important for children, youth and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to meet physical activity (PA) recommendations. Research focusing on sport participation and other forms of PA that are formally organized or not formally organized is limited, especially considering there may be gender differences in sport and PA participation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify gender differences in sport participation in children, youth and young adults with T1D. We further sought to explore the types of sports and PA that they engaged in and were most important to them, and whether these activities were formally organized. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 194 patients with T1D [14.27 years ±3.63; 96 (50.5%) female] who completed a PA and sport participation survey during their regularly scheduled pediatric endocrinology appointment. Survey data assessing number of sports played within the past year, the sport or PA that they participated in most and/or was the most important to them, and whether that sport or PA was organized by a school or community league were linked to their medical records for gender and age. RESULTS: Spearman’s rank order correlation tests indicated that there was not a statistically significant relationship between gender (females, n = 51, 53.1%; males, n = 59, 60.2%) and sport participation of at least one sport in the previous year, r(192) = .06, p = .407. For females, 8 (8.0%) participated in 3 or more sports while 15 (15.3%) of males participated in 3 or more sports. The most frequently reported sports or PA differed for genders. Walking was reported as most participated in and/or most important sport or PA for females (n = 11; opposed to 2 males) with 10 reported as not organized. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no significant relationship between gender and sport participation, a strength of this study highlighted that the types of sports and PA that females and males participated in differed in organizational status. Practical implications of this study underscore the importance of understanding the types of sports and PA that children, youth and young adults with T1D participate in so that interventions can be tailored to support their preferences. Organized walking clubs or interventions may benefit female participants in the accruing of PA and management of T1D.

Campus recreational participation and COVID-19: impact on college student health and well-being.

Objective: Campus recreational sport activities impact college student health and well-being in a variety of domains. This multi-institutional study examined the participation of students in campus recreation during the pandemic and explored the relationship between student participation and their demographic markers, COVID-19 experience, and perceptions of risk, health and safety. Methods: Results from a survey of 1,815 American college students indicated the presence of statistical differences in sport participation based on Gender, Race, State, Personal COVID-19 Experience, Campus Safety Efforts, and Risk Perception Score within various areas of analysis. Results: The impact and meaning of these cross-sectional results are discussed with reference to the ongoing pandemic and student health. Recommendations are presented within the context of this vital programming area both during and beyond the current crisis. Conclusion: These results are especially important given the health benefits associated with participation in recreational sport as tools to mitigate against the unprecedented consequences of the pandemic.

Parent Perceptions of the Benefits of Sport Participation: A Mixed-methods Approach

Objective: Objective PA-12 of Healthy People 2030 is focused on an increase in sport participation among youth. Organized leisure-time sport participation (OLSP) can be a valuable source of physical activity for children and adolescents. The ability of programs to provide important benefits to children may play a role in parent decisions to enroll their child in these programs. Methods: In the present study, we gathered demographics, sport participation, and parent-reported (N = 452) benefits of sport participation as part of a survey investigating OLSP behaviors. Results: We found no differences in sport participation by sex or race/ethnicity. However, children from lower income homes were less likely to participate in sport than those from higher income homes (p < .001). Health and exercise, socialization, teamwork, and leadership skill development were the most common benefits reported by parents. Other benefits included practice/skill building/self-esteem, fun, reduced screen time, exposure to a role model, stress relief, and recognition. Conclusions: These benefits should be emphasized in OLSP programs and used for marketing and promotion to increase participation in OLSP to achieve objective PA-12.

Gender, social stratification, and differences in sports participation among Korean adults: data from the 2019 Korea National Sports Participation Survey

Background: Sports participation is influenced by various factors. Among them, gender and social stratification are most relevant to the creation of a divide in sports participation. To date, studies have focused on the degree of sports participation (period, frequency, and intensity); the form of participation (behavioral, affective, and cognitive), and the type of sports participation according to gender and social stratification. Although gender and social stratification are inseparable factors in sports participation, little is known about the inequality in sports participation caused by both factors. Therefore, this study aims to examine how Korean men and women participate differently in sports according to their social stratification. Methods: Out of 9000 samples from the 2019 Korea National Sports Participation Survey (KNSPS) conducted by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, data from 5366 individuals were analyzed in this study. SPSS 26.0 (IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to perform multiple correspondence analysis and cross-tabulation analysis. Results: This study found that for men, the lower the social stratification, the more frequent the participation in less capital-intensive sports (e.g., gateball, walking, and stretching exercises). Meanwhile, women tend to participate in sports such as aerobics, yoga, and dance sports. These are popularly referred to as “women’s sports” which evidences social stratification. Conclusions: This study reveals through national statistical indicators that there is a difference in the types of sports in which Korean men and women participate according to social stratification. Thus, gender and stratification inequalities may be inherent in the modern Korean society for sports participation.

Gender Differences in Sports Participation: A Multi-Level Analysis

Gender Differences in Sports Participation: A Multi-Level Analysis

Influence of Gender Stereotypes, Type of Sport Watched and Close Environment on Adolescent Sport Practice According to Gender

The practice of sport by adolescents is influenced by multiple factors, which could create differences in sports participation according to gender. The objectives of this study were to determine which types of sports were most practiced by adolescent males and females; and to analyze the relationship of gender stereotypes, the type of sport observed and the personal environment, to the type of sport practiced, depending on the adolescent’s gender. To this end, a total of 632 adolescents completed the questionnaire “Lifestyle in Sport with a Gender Perspective”. The results showed significant differences according to gender in the type of sport practiced (p < 0.05), in the membership to sports clubs (p < 0.001), and in the participation in competitions (p < 0.001). It was found that family (p < 0.005) and friends (p < 0.05) were the social agents that most influenced the choice of the type of sport practiced, and that the type of sport watched live (p < 0.005), and in the media (p < 0.001), was related to gender and the type of sport practiced. In contrast, the gender stereotypes of the adolescents themselves were not related to the practice of sports. In conclusion, the environment closest to the adolescents was related to the type of sport practiced by those adolescents.

Sports practice in Japan and France: A comparative analysis.

This article aimed to compare the sports participation of populations from two distinct societies with huge cultural differences: France and Japan. At a macro-statistical level and using a societal approach based on two national ad-hoc surveys–in contrast with functionalist and culturalist analyses–it analysed the differences in sports participation between the two populations. The angle adopted for analysing sports participation was that of voraciousness (number and types of sports and physical activities practised). We performed a secondary analysis of a Japanese national ad-hoc survey and a French national ad-hoc survey (quotas sampling, June/July 2016), which reported activities precisely over the preceding 12 months. The two reconstructed samples for comparison concerned people aged between 18 and 70, and 46 PSAs and PSA families, making it possible to evaluate sports participation. The Japanese sample consisted of 2,612 individuals and the French sample of 3,791 individuals. To identify statistically significant differences between the two samples, Fisher’s exact test and bootstrap approaches was used (boot package in R software). Sports participation and voraciousness for sport are higher in the French population than in the Japanese one. For the overall rate of sports practice, there is a difference of 8.2 points (95%CI[6.0;10.3], p<0.001), and the difference concerning the average number of activities practised by practitioners is 1.7 activity (95%CI[1.9;1.5], p<0.001). In both countries, young males have the highest level of sportiness. Age is an important variable with a lower difference between the youngest and oldest age groups for sports participation in Japan than in France: when compared to France, the difference in difference for the rate of no activity is 13.7 points (95%CI[6.3;21.1], p<0.001) and -2.3 activities for the average number of activities among practitioners (95%CI[-3.0;-1.7], p<0.001). Some physical and sports activities (PSAs) are specific to France (e.g. skiing with 12.7 points difference, 95%CI[11.3;14.1], p<0.001) and others to Japan, such as baseball (with 9.8 points difference 95%CI[8.6;11.0], p<0.001) or more traditional PSAs like Japanese calisthenics and radio exercise (at 15.9%). In contrast to France, Japan is still in the process of greatly modernising its sporting tradition as a result of its particular cultural dimensions. We can identify physical and sports activities which are specific to each country, as well as similar activities in the two countries and wider diversification in France. Voraciousness for sport is higher in France than in Japan. In both countries, the youngest age groups and men have the highest level of sportiness. Yet, the difference between the youngest and the oldest group is smaller in Japan due to the pressure of work.

Comparison of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour between Schoolchildren with Cystic Fibrosis and Healthy Controls: A Gender Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in sports participation and the levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) between schoolchildren with cystic fibrosis (CF) and a healthy control group (CG) taking into account the gender variable. PA and SB were measured with an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days in 44 children (24 girls; 11.0 (3.2) years) with CF and 45 age-, sex-, and socioeconomic status-matched controls (24 girls; 11.1 (3.0) years). CF patients and CG did not differ in moderate-to-vigorous PA (54 (31) vs. 59 (27) min/day respectively) or in SB (558 (106) vs. 553 (92) min/day respectively). There were no differences in meeting the PA guidelines between both groups (CF: 36.4% vs. CG: 42.4%). Gender analysis revealed that boys were more active and met more PA guidelines than girls regardless of the group (CF or CG), girls with CF being the least active group (only 16.7% met PA guidelines). A possible compensatory effect was found between SB and PA only in the CF sample, as for each minute/day spent in SB the odds of meeting PA guidelines decreased by 34%. These findings suggest that promoting a reduction in SB is as important as promoting PA in the CF population, especially in girls. Health caregivers, coaches, teachers, or parents could offer appealing supervised and unsupervised physical activities, foster the adoption of active lifestyles, or incorporate PA into daily routines to improve the health of CF schoolchildren.

Associations between number of pain sites and sleep, sports participation, and quality of life: a cross-sectional survey of 1021 youth from the Midwestern United States

BackgroundMusculoskeletal pain in youth is common but little is known about the influence of the number of pain sites on pain characteristics. The objective of this study was to compare pain characteristics, quality of life, sleep, sport participation between adolescents without pain, those with single site pain, and those with multi-site pain and investigate the relationship between pain duration and number of pain sites.MethodsAn online survey was sent via email to 7177 possible middle- and high-school students. The students completed a survey containing questions about their pain (including location, duration, intensity, frequency), health-related quality of life, sleep quantity and quality, and sports participation. Quantitative variables were analysed with one-way ANOVAs or t-tests and qualitative variables were analysed with Pearson Chi-squared tests. Relationships were investigated with a Pearson Correlation.ResultsOf the respondents (n = 1021), 52.9% reported no pain, 17.2% reported pain in a single-site, and 29.9% reported pain in multiple sites. Those with multi-site pain reported significantly lower quality of life than both pain-free youth (p < 0.001) and those with single-site pain (p < 0.001); those with single-site pain had lower quality of life than pain-free youth (p < 0.001). Those with pain reported worse sleep than those without pain (P < 0.05). No differences in sport participation were found (p > 0.10). Those with multi-site pain reported greater intensity (p = 0.005) and duration (p < 0.001) than those with single-site pain. A positive, moderate, and significant correlation (r = 0.437, p < 0.001) was found between the pain duration and number of pain sites.ConclusionsA large percentage of youth experience regular pain that affects their self-reported quality of life and sleep, with greater effects in those with multi-site pain.

Providing for the rich? The effect of public investments in sport on sport (club) participation of vulnerable youth and adults

The relevance of local sport policy to achieve ‘sport for all’ has been widely recognized. Public spending on sport is seen necessary to keep sport affordable, while specific policy programs are aimed to include groups that lag behind in sport participation. This paper explores the impact of local government’s sport expenditures on sport (club) participation and more particularly its impact on sport (club) participation differences between higher and lower socio-economic positions, in the Netherlands. Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological model is used as a theoretical starting point for our analyses and we performed multiple 3-level logistic regression analyses. The analyses were conducted separately for youth and adults using information from a large national population survey enriched with secondary data on municipal sport expenditures and policy programs. Our findings suggest that the effect of sport policy is most substantial for youth sport club participation. For adults, sport participation tends to be negatively associated with municipal sport expenditures and policy programs. With regard to the impact of sport policy on participation differences between higher and lower socio-economic positions, we find that for youth higher municipal sport expenditure is associated with smaller sport club participation differences between higher and lower socio-economic groups. Overall, our results imply that in the Netherlands municipal sport policy does matter, although primarily for youth, in addition to the social environment and socio-economic position of individuals. With these results our study contributes to an evidence-base for sport policy and to the current body of knowledge on explaining differences in sport participation.

Intergenerational transfer of a sports-related lifestyle within the family

The intergenerational transfer of a sports-related lifestyle within the family is a potential way to explain the social differences in sports participation that are displayed by young people. In this article, the importance of a sports-related lifestyle within the family, as well as parents’ educational background and sports participation in childhood, in the sports participation of adolescents and young adults is examined from the perspective of socialisation theory. Structural equation modelling was used to demonstrate that all of the examined predictors have significant positive effects on the current sports participation of individuals between the ages of 15 and 30 years ( N = 4028; M = 21.48; SD = 4.64). The most pronounced effect on sports participation was observed for a sports-related lifestyle in the family.

Participation in sports, body composition, and fitness characteristics in children according to ethnic background.

Participation in sports has important implications, being associated with health and social features. The objectives of this study were to verify whether there were any differences in sport participation between immigrant and Italian children and whether there was any relation with their body composition and fitness characteristics. A survey was conducted on 1432 children attending primary school in the Emilia-Romagna (northern Italy). Anthropometric measurements, fitness characteristics, and data about participation in sports were considered. Italian children were more likely to participate in sports than immigrants and boys than girls. Among immigrants, the lowest values were observed in Asians. Eastern European males and Latin American females displayed the widest dimensions. Eastern Europeans generally showed the highest values of strength, while Latin Americans had the highest values of flexibility. Asian children showed the highest values of centripetal fat, and a high percentage of them exceeded the %F reference. These aspects, together with the low frequency of practicing sports, place Asians at greater risks for health. Sex and ethnic group are the most informative variables associated with participation in sports by children. Interventions including health education lessons and promoting the participation in sports for immigrant children attending schools need to be encouraged.

DEATHS IN ORGANISED SPORTS IN AUSTRALIA: A CASE SERIES REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL CORONIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

BackgroundOrganised sports include individual water sports and athletic activities, team ball sports, team bat/stick sports and racquet sports. The causes of death, contributing factors and potential to prevent deaths in...

A capacity building approach to increase sports participation in disadvantaged urban communities: a multilevel analysis.

Recent evidence showed that community capacity building is one of the key methods to reach health improvements within disadvantaged communities. Physical activity and sports participation are important means to reach health improvements. This study investigates a capacity building method which aims at increasing sports participation in the community, especially for individuals at higher risk of sports deprivation. The main aims of the present study, are the following: (1) to examine differences in sports participation between individuals living in communities implementing a sports-based capacity building program and individuals living in communities without such capacity building program and (2) to investigate if the community sports program reaches the individuals known to experience higher barriers to engage in sports. In Flanders, Belgium, five disadvantaged urban communities implementing the community capacity building program (program communities) and four without (control communities) were selected based on similarity of sociodemographic and environmental characteristics. Two hundred adults (aged 18-56 years) per community were randomly selected and visited at home to fill out a questionnaire on sociodemographics, sports participation, and the community sports program. A sample of 414 adults participated in the study. Results showed that adults from program communities reported on average 96 min/week more participation in sports than their counterparts living in control communities. Furthermore, 61.3% of the individuals of program communities indicated to engage in sports, whereas in control communities, this was only 42.4%. Respondents at higher risk of sports deprivation also engaged in significantly more sports participation in program communities than those in control communities. This difference was also noted for groups that are not related with sports deprivation. These results are promising and plead for a community capacity building approach to increase sports participation in disadvantaged communities.

Ethnic differences in sports participation in England

Aim: to provide a detailed picture of ethnic differences in sports participation in England. Design: Health Survey for England data is used. Percentages and age-standardised logistic regression models compare participation in ten separate sports for eight ethnic groups. Logistic regression models explore ethnic differences in regular sporting activity allowing for a range of explanatory variables (for all respondents and for White, South Asian and Black respondents separately). Results: There is major variation in levels and types of sports participation for different ethnic groups. Sports participation of ethnic minority men is depressed by their socio-economic disadvantage and migrant status. Participation is low for South Asian and Black African women after controlling for socio-economic status and migration. First generation South Asian men and women are less likely to participate than second generation. Conclusion: Sports sociologists and policy makers should distinguish between different ethnic groups and between genders within ethnic groups. Policy makers should consult with BME communities/organisations to explore culturally appropriate ways of increasing participation among targeted groups. Sporting facilities should be made available for all income groups and particularly in areas of high deprivation. Sports promotion in schools is important.

A Sex Difference in the Predisposition for Physical Competition: Males Play Sports Much More than Females Even in the Contemporary U.S

Much evidence indicates that men experienced an evolutionary history of physical competition, both one-on-one and in coalitions. We thus hypothesized that, compared to girls and women, boys and men will possess a greater motivational predisposition to be interested in sports, especially team sports. According to most scholars, advocacy groups, and the United States courts, however, this hypothesis is challenged by modest sex differences in organized school sports participation in the contemporary U.S., where females comprise 42% of high school participants and 43% of intercollegiate participants. We conducted three studies to test whether organized school sports participation data underestimate the actual sex difference in sports participation. Study 1 analyzed the American Time Use Survey, which interviewed 112,000 individuals regarding their activities during one day. Females accounted for 51% of exercise (i.e., non-competitive) participations, 24% of total sports participations, and 20% of team sports participations. These sex differences were similar for older and younger age groups. Study 2 was based on systematic observations of sports and exercise at 41 public parks in four states. Females accounted for 37% of exercise participations, 19% of individual sports participations, and 10% of team sports participations. Study 3 involved surveying colleges and universities about intramural sports, which primarily consist of undergraduate participation in team sports. Across 34 institutions, females accounted for 26% of registrations. Nine institutions provided historical data, and these did not indicate that the sex difference is diminishing. Therefore, although efforts to ensure more equitable access to sports in the U.S. (i.e., Title IX) have produced many benefits, patterns of sports participation do not challenge the hypothesis of a large sex difference in interest and participation in physical competition.

Sport Participation Across National Contexts: A Multilevel Investigation of Individual and Systemic Influences on Adult Sport Participation

Since multiple factors may impact adult levels and patterns of sport participation, this study utilized stages from Green's (2005) sport development theoretical model to examine the structural and individual factors that impact the sport experiences, patterns, and motives of both female and male adults in three different countries: the Netherlands (n=48), the United States of America (n=44), and the Republic of Korea (n=30). Asynchronous online focus groups using semi-structured questions assessed past and current sport participation, barriers and benefits to sport participation, and perceptions of sport delivery systems. The main themes that emerged related to adult sport participation were life-course and transitional dynamics, motivational differences, and sport delivery system impacts. While previous research has typically implicated individual-level factors for differences in sport participation the current study indicates that delivery system level factors are also critical. Systems that are more readily accessible or predictable and those that create social opportunities may be keys to increasing adult sport participation.