Local Sports Clubs Research Articles

Multi-actor Strategies of Health-Enhanced Physical Activities for Children in Local Communities of the European Union

In recent years there has been a shift to focus the benefits of physical activity as a new integral part of public health policies to counteract the growing epidemic of obesity in childhood on a European level. PURPOSE: The purpose of the "Healthy children In Sound Community" project (HCSC-EU) is to transfer/diffuse and implement the multi-actor strategy of the previous Dutch-German cross-border project to several other local municipalities in 6 other EU countries. Until the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty (1 December 2009) the European Community and European Union did not have direct responsibility for sport. But the EU/EC Institutions were increasingly involved in sport related matters. METHODS: Local municipalities establish "front offices" with stakeholders of the different education, sport and health representatives of the municipality. A "community moderator" serves to implement health-enhancing PE-classes, co-curricular physical activities of daily non-motorized transportation to school and back home and extra- curricular activities which are provided via special "health courses" given by local sport clubs as partners of the HCSC-affiliated schools. Two individually tailored health courses are weekly attended by the school students in addition to their PE lessons in order to have in summary daily physical activity units for about 60 to 90 minutes. RESULTS: Two pilot studies were conducted in the municipalities of Velen, DE (n=124) and Winterswijk, NL (n=459). A complex physical fitness test (gkgk-test) was applied in a cross-sectional (NL) and a longitudinal study (DE). Results of the German study proof that a 6 months training programme of 3 health enhanced PE lessons and 2 courses of extra-curricular activities at a sport club individually tailored for the students lead to a better BMI (reduction grade 3 /stabilization in grade 2) and a better basic motor fitness profile for different percentile groups (e.g. P<25). The Dutch results were related to daily playing outside and lower BMI. CONCLUSIONS: A local stakeholder network for health enhanced school PE and sport club PA can increase time allocation for an active lifestyle. Individually tailored courses for children are needed to further progress physical fitness and motor development to achieve a sound development of the BMI.

The glue that holds the community together? Sport and sustainability in rural Australia

Drawing on the author's research in northwest Victoria, Australia, this essay examines the forms of capital that are created in and through rural sport as well as the processes of social inclusion and exclusion that structure access to social networks and to the resources these networks contain. In the face of economic and social changes that affect the region, rural sport participants view local sport clubs as vital community hubs fostering social cohesion, local and regional identities and a shared focus and outlet. Sporting competitions in northwest Victoria also contribute to cultural and economic capital for some participants, and to relatively limited stocks of linking social capital. While the creation and transference of these capitals are to a large degree regulated by wider social divisions, structural changes in the area present increased opportunities for other people, including young women, to take on leadership roles and to develop new skills and knowledge through sport participation.

Albernoa Revisited: Tracking Social Capital in a Portuguese Village

In the field of rural studies, social capital has been seen as an important factor that can contribute decisively to the development of rural communities. The aim of this article is to identify some of the social problems that are affecting the capacity of one particular village to generate and improve new forms of social capital. Albernoa is a Portuguese village situated in the region of Alentejo (southern Portugal). Over the last three decades some profound and contradictory changes have occurred in the rural environment: progressive population ageing, continuous depopulation and, simultaneously, the recent trend towards suburbanisation. Internally, the population of Albernoa has profound difficulty in reinforcing the community ties capable of organizing and improving on some collective projects, like the local sports club. The residents are deeply divided in terms of collective trust. Some local leaders complain about this problem, which affects the levels of social capital among the villagers.

Sports camp with six months of support from a local sports club as a treatment for childhood obesity

Although childhood obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent, treatment options are limited and the continued development of effective treatment strategies is necessary. It is equally important to explore involvement of other resources in society, such as sports associations. This study was designed to investigate the possibility of reducing the degree of obesity in obese children by focusing on physical activity as an intervention. Seventy-six children (40 boys) aged 8-12 years (mean age 10.5 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 28.9, standard deviation (SD) 3.0; mean BMI z-score 3.24, SD 0.49) were invited to participate in a one-week sports camp and six-month support system. After the camp a sports coach from a local sports club supported the child during participation in a chosen sport for six months. Weight, height, body composition (using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging), and lifestyle (using a questionnaire) were measured at baseline and after 12 months. Data were pooled from two camps, one with a self-selected control group and one randomized controlled trial. Twelve months after the camp the intervention group had a significant decrease in BMI z-score (baseline BMI z-score 3.22; follow up 3.10, p = 0.023). The control group also reduced their BMI z-score (baseline BMI z-score 3.27; follow up 3.18, p = 0.022). No differences were found in baseline values, follow-up values, or changes in BMI z-score between groups, nor between boys and girls. The focus on physical activity as an intervention had no effect on degree of obesity when compared with a waiting list control group.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL AND DONOR COMMITMENT IN A GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED COMMUNITY.

Social relationships are pivotal in determining the nature of activities and the extent of community engagement in geographically isolated places. Local youth sport clubs play an important role, yet have few resources or sources of financial support (donations, membership fees, and volunteers) to mitigate the cost of facilities and travel, and obtain qualified staff. This study attempts to shed light on what impact different club activities have on stimulating community support. We investigate donors' active engagement versus passive support, their interrelations and their sources. In so doing, we propose a causal model of organizational actions that promote donor commitment.

Barndomens reglering via skol- och föreningsidrott

In 2003, the Swedish government made a “handshake” (Handslaget) with the The Swedish Sports Confederation, offering one billion Swedish crowns over a period of four years to local sport clubs in order to create projects that would engage more children in organised sport. One way of doing this was by way of sport clubs collaborating with schools, so that within the school day pupils would be exposed to club sports – either through club instructors coming to the school or the pupils coming to the club facilities. But what happens when an activity constructed on one social field, in Bourdieu’s sense, and according to the specific conditions of that field, is simply lifted over to another social field? The basic aim of school sport is to enable each individual take the responsibility for his or her body in a lifetime perspective, whereas club sport is based on competition and strives towards selection, ranking and elitism. This article is based on an evaluation of all projects taking place within school hours in Malmö during 2005-2006. In relation to the basic goal, formulated unilaterally by the State and the Sports Confederation, that these projects should lead to the activation of children that are not yet physically active, the article argues that the result may be the opposite: the weakening of both the school subject Physical Education and the normal activity of sport clubs.

サッカースクールに子どもを通わせている保護者の食生活調査―サッカー少年団への食教育介入計画にあたっての集団特徴把握を目的として―

The dietary habits of children attending a soccer school and their parents were investigated. This investigation targeted 1,205 parents of children registered in the U-6 (kindergarten level), U-8 (elementary school grades 1 and 2), and U-10 (elementary school grades 3 and 4) classes of a soccer school belonging to a Japan League team. Of the 548 parents who responded to the questionnaire, the answers of 446 parents were selected as suitable for analysis (37% valid response rate). All of these parents were mothers. The investigation covered the quality of life, dietary behavior (actions related to cooking and eating), behavior related to health, daily activity, food skills and the food environment. The responses indicated that the parents and children had effective support, the food environment was good in those homes of children attending the soccer school, while there were few problems with dietary behavior, and the health-related quality of life was good. Further analysis of the parents' and children's dietary habits was conducted according to the judgment on any problems with the content of meals and the parents' food skills. In the group with low skills, according to the parents' judgment about problems with the content of meals, the quality of life was not considered high, and the support and surrounding food environment were both worse than those of the group with high skills. There was a high percentage of persons who thought that it was necessary to conduct food and nutrition education in cooperation with other organizations. There is a possibility that local sports clubs (soccer clubs) can play a role as well as schools in food and nutrition education for children. It will be necessary to obtain an outline of the dietary habits of such children beforehand.

武道の海外普及に関する一考察：1910年代のパラグアイにおける受容側からの視点に着目して

It has been considered that budo (the generic name for Japanese martial arts, reconstructed from bujitsu by the Meiji era) began to be spread overseas by elite budo experts from the 19th century, and this has now become a popularly held historical view. Meanwhile, bujitsu (the generic name for Japanese traditional martial arts) experts who had been overseas at that time were considered less significant. Because the difference between budo and bujitsu was fuzzy at the time, bujitsu was considered to lie within the same mission as budo in terms of being spread overseas.By focusing on Shotaro Fukuoka's mission in Paraguay, and particularly on the recipients there, this study reconsiders the mission of budo overseas by non-elite jiu-jitsu (one kind of bujitsu art) experts. The study highlighted three points. Firstly, in the local newspaper, jiu-jitsu was considered to be an effective discipline, both physically and mentally, similar to swordplay and gymnastics. Secondly, jiu-jitsu was adopted by the local sports club as self-defense training. The present study considers that adoption of jiu-jitsu was smooth in the sports club. Thirdly, jiu-jitsu was used for show at mixed martial arts contests organized by the sports club for entertaining the local public.The fact that jiu-jitsu was widely adopted by the local public in Paraguay suggests that Fukuoka's mission was not to seek a certain type of adoption but rather flexibility. Finally, the local sports club became not only a recipient of jiu-jitsu, but also a dispatcher by teaching public jiu-jitsu classes, which enabled various classes of people to participate in jiu-jitsu.

Family Environment as a Determinant of Adolescents' Participation in Physical Activity and Leisure Settings

Family environment plays an important role across adolescents' development and their participation in physical activity. Adolescents' participation in physical activities is influenced by expectations and beliefs held by parents. Parental encouragement as well as engagement in physical activities has a significant impact on their children's participation levels. PURPOSE: The study examined adolescents' participation in physical activity and leisure settings in relation to their families' location, social class, parental income and commitment to engagement in physical activities. METHODS: The sample comprised fifty-two sixteen year old adolescents (26 boys and 26 girls) from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Semi-structured group interviews enabled participants to explore themes related to family involvement in physical activity and leisure. Data analysis was conducted using inductive and deductive analytical procedures, which involved scanning the data for categories, developing working typologies on an examination of initial cases and then modifying and refining them on the basis of subsequent cases. RESULTS: The study identified factors such as location, financial support, encouragement and motivation as determinants of adolescents' participation in physical activities. Encouragement and motivation to engage in physical activities was evident in higher socioeconomic status (SES) families compared to their lower SES counterparts. Families with high socioeconomic status (SES) addressed adolescents' physical activity involvement as part of their everyday routines in the form of transport to sporting events and local sports club or during the weekends with a whole family approach to activity. Adolescents from low SES families suggested that parental income and parental work commitment was a barrier to their participation. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that physical activity was highly valued in families from high SES compared to lower SES families. Location and income were identified as perceived barriers to adolescents' participation in physical activity for those from lower SES groups. Future interventions aiming at increasing physical activity levels in adolescents should target factors such as cost, access, income and location to reduce inequalities in participation.

Amateur structures and their effect on performance: the case of Greek voluntary sports clubs

This study applies an organizational perspective to the measurement of the structure and context of voluntary local sports clubs in Greece. Local sport clubs have rarely been an area of inquiry in terms of their organizational structure and context. This research firstly focuses on collecting and analysing data referring to measurements of contextual (e.g., organizational size, age and resource dependence) and structural (e.g., formalization, specialization, centralization) variables. Secondly, it examines whether the local sports clubs' contextual and structural development has an effect on their performance. The theoretical background underlying this research endeavour is drawn from the classical Weberian theory of bureaucracy as presented by Frisby's conceptual framework in order to be applicable in voluntary leisure service organizations. Forty-one local sport clubs composed the sample of this study. A member of their board of directors was interviewed following a specifically designed, highly structured pre-existing schedule. The results support a trend towards a loosely structured, less bureaucratic organizational operation for the local sport clubs, which is accompanied with external resource dependence and moderate performance.

The efficacy of adjusting the ankle in the treatment of subacute and chronic grade I and grade II ankle inversion sprains

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of adjusting the ankle in the treatment of subacute and chronic grade I and grade II ankle inversion sprains. Design: A single-blind, comparative, controlled pilot study. Setting: Technikon Natal Chiropractic Day Clinic. Participants: Thirty patients with subacute and chronic grade I and grade II ankle inversion sprains. Patients were recruited from the public; they responded to advertisements placed in newspapers and on notice boards around the campus and local sports clubs. Intervention: Each of the 15 patients in the treatment group received the ankle mortise separation adjustment. Each of the 15 patients in the placebo group received 5 minutes of detuned ultrasound treatment. Each participant received a maximum of 8 treatment sessions spread over a period of 4 weeks. Main Outcome Measure: Patients were evaluated at the first treatment, at the final treatment, and at a 1-month follow-up consultation. Subjective scores were obtained by means of the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale 101. Objective measurements were obtained from goniometer readings measuring ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and algometer readings measuring pain threshold over the ankle lateral ligaments. A functional evaluation of ankle function was also used. Results: Although both groups showed improvement, statistically significant differences in favor of the adjustment group were noted with respect to reduction in pain, increased ankle range of motion, and ankle function. Conclusions: This study appears to indicate that the mortise separation adjustment may be superior to detuned ultrasound therapy in the management of subacute and chronic grade I and grade II inversion ankle sprains. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2001;24:17-24)

European congress of twins

On the 21st and 22nd of May 1955 a congress of twins took place in Oirschot (Nederland). The initiative for this remarkable assembly came from the secretary of the local Sportsclub Orion, Mr. Louwers, who himself is a half of a twin. In order to add glamour to the anniversary of this club it was thought to achieve this by inviting twins. This gathering was a great success for over 300 twins from different countries took possession for several days of this quiet town in Brabant, The original intention was to offer a programme of social activities including excursions, musical evenings, competitions and dancing. The international Press had given a great deal of publicity to this Congress whiel from a cultural point of view was successful.The total number of twins which took part was 327 (654 persons). The countries which were represented were as follows:Holland, 229, Germany 61, Belgium 21, Saarland 4, Austria 4, France 2, Sweden 2, Switzerland 2, Finland 1, Italy 1. The average age of the participants was 29,1 years, the oldest being 82 and the youngest 15. Total number were 167 girls and 155 boys. The number of mixed twins was small (38) so that there as a rather strong tendency towards twins of the same sex. Similarly there was also a tendency for identical twins but this was not certain because not all the twins of the same sex could be actually identified by anthropological methods. After examination it was almost certain that 80 were one-egg twins but most probably there were more. This has strenghtened our opinion that also in the public eye only those twins are considered genuine which are physically and mentally the same. Since 375 twins had unselectively taken part, in the congress, it would have been expected that at least a 100 would have been mixed twins, in fact there were only 38.