Sustainable Sports Research Articles

Strategic marketing for sustainable sports travel experiences

ABSTRACT This study introduces the concept of Strategic Marketing of Sustainable Sports Travel Experiences, situated at the intersection of sports management, strategic marketing, and sustainable transport. It develops a novel framework grounded in Stakeholder Theory and Social Exchange Theory to integrate sustainability principles into sports marketing strategies, addressing the significant environmental impact of sports-related travel. The research identifies key stakeholders, including clubs, fans, transport providers, policymakers, and sponsors, and explores strategies to reduce carbon footprints, enhance stakeholder collaboration, and foster engagement with sustainability initiatives. The study makes three key contributions. First, it provides a roadmap for sports management, highlighting how clubs, leagues, and venues can adopt sustainable practices, reduce emissions, and enhance fan experiences while reinforcing their environmental stewardship. Second, it advances strategic marketing by aligning sustainability with brand differentiation, enabling sports organizations to engage fans through eco-conscious campaigns, incentives, and loyalty programs. Third, it contributes to sustainable transport by emphasizing collaborative efforts to improve infrastructure, incentivize greener travel, and enhance accessibility. This interdisciplinary framework offers theoretical and practical insights for achieving environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically viable outcomes in the sports industry. It promotes innovation in sustainability practices while addressing critical challenges in sports event planning, marketing, and transport management.

Abstracts from the 3rd International Scientific Conference on “Novelties in Sport Science”

<p>It is our pleasure to invite you to the 3rd International Scientific Conference “Novelties in Sport Science”. This conference provides a perfect opportunity for all the researchers, practitioners and the people who have a keen interest in learning about the new advancements in sports science to come together and share their knowledge. The variety of topics presented in this collection of papers shows how alive and developing this field and is how it can benefit the health, performance, and education of people. The present proceedings of this year’s conference reveal novelty and interdisciplinarity of the research. From exploring the role of probiotics in athletic performance and intestinal health to the ethical contrasts between martial arts and Western sports, these studies reflect the rich interplay between tradition and innovation. Groundbreaking tools, such as the "Ski Easy" methodology, and transformative findings in areas like injury prevention and active aging illustrate how science can shape the future of sports and physical activity.<br />This year, a special emphasis is placed on sustainability and inclusivity. Presentations addressing sustainable sports tourism in Vojvodina and global initiatives for environmentally responsible sports practices showcase the role of sports science in advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Equally compelling are the contributions that explore how education and technology are transforming sports, from teaching English to sports professionals to leveraging wearable devices for cardiovascular health.</p>

Optimization Model of Multi Criteria Decision Analysis for Smart and Sustainable Sport Tourism Planning Development Problem

Optimization Model of Multi Criteria Decision Analysis for Smart and Sustainable Sport Tourism Planning Development Problem

Using the grounded theory to develop the theoretical model of Chinese school sports coaching competence

BackgroundSchool sports coaching is gaining recognition as a formal profession worldwide, highlighting its significant role in students’ holistic development. Given the complex social and cultural dimensions of the role, this study explores a coaching competence model tailored to the school context, emphasizing the need to consider both national and local frameworks to ensure effective implementation. In China, school sport coaches are responsible for both physical education teaching and sports training across all types of schools. Within the integration of sports and education, school sport coaches can expand their impact not only on student-athletes or athletes but also on general students in practice. Compared with physical education teachers’ perspectives, sports coaches’ competence development has rarely been studied. This study aims to develop a sustainable Chinese school sports coaching competence model.MethodsThe qualitative data were gathered mainly through semi-structured interviews. School sports coaches and related stakeholders (N = 22) were selected as participants using purposive sampling techniques. Grounded theory was employed to analyse the data via NVivo 11.0 software.ResultsThe school sports coaching competence model comprises three categories consisting of 15 sub-categories, 92 concepts, and 317 labels. These categories are as follows: (a) Perception of identity, encompassing role of the coach, reflection on students, and understanding of policies; (b) Code of ethics, which includes sports virtues, sports-humanistic spirit, and principles of movement science; (c) Coaching excellence, comprising lifestyle and fitness strength, local sports development, teacher-coach partnership, leadership in extracurricular activities, safety and injury protection, athlete selection and training, instruction and demonstration, coaching reflective practice, and athlete-coach rapport.ConclusionChinese school sport coaching competence model emphasizes the integration of sports and education for student development. It provides both local and national perspectives to enhance the professional development of school sports coaches’ community worldwide.

Identifying Opportunities for Developing Nature-Based Sport Tourism to Improve Health in Papua: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Over Ten Years

Objectives. This study aimed to examine research trends around nature-based tourism, event-based sports tourism, and their relationship with government policies to identify potential opportunities for sustainable sports tourism development in Papua. Materials and methods. The methodological approach comprised using a bibliometric analysis by reviewing 997 scientific articles sourced from Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases from 2014-2024. Harzing’s publish or Perish software was used to sort the articles, and VOSViewer software was used to analyze the articles. The review included the number of cluster groups, research themes related to sports tourism in the year groups, research trends around nature-based sports tourism, and gaps in sports tourism development. Results. There were eight cluster groups and five groups. The current research trends in the field of sports tourism comprise event-based sports tourism, nature tourism, the tourism industry, and social media. The research trends related to nature-based sports tourism include six keywords, namely nature-based tourism, nature connectedness, nature sport, nature-based events, nature-based recreation, and nature. Visitors, managers, communities, and governments benefit from the health and economic advantages of nature-based sports tourism. In developing nature-based sports tourism, it is essential to consider the sustainability of nature, cultural characteristics, and the form of activities offered. Local governments need to take part in efforts to develop and preserve nature-based sports tourism. Conclusions. The development of nature-based sports tourism with traditional sports activities has a great opportunity to be enhanced. This innovation certainly needs careful planning from determining goals, human resources, risk factors, and presenting an effective promotional strategies. The involvement of local government can facilitate the implementation of this planning.

The impact of model-based practices on sustainable physical education in Indonesia: a systematic review

Model-Based Practice (MBP) is a teaching practice that organizes pedagogical models through various sport-based physical activities thematically to solve problems related to appropriate teaching to achieve educational values. Previous systematic reviews that have been carried out cover only one model approach and there has been no systematic review until 2024 that specifically discusses the implementation of MBP in Indonesia. The systematic review aims to explore information related to MBP implementation studies in physical education (PE) teaching that have been conducted by researchers or practitioners to support sports development in Indonesia. The literature search used the Scopus database by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 10 of 1,222 articles met the criteria during the screening process and were extracted into tables including content, problem statement, methods, results, and future research. The results showed that the model used was effective in improving learning outcomes and the development was valid and feasible to use. The implementation of MBP in PE learning in Indonesia only includes three models, namely sports education (SE), cooperative learning (CL), and teaching games for understanding (TGfU) study objectives focus on one objective and do not include social learning outcomes. More studies related to the implementation of MBP are needed to improve the quality of PE teaching to support sustainable sports development in Indonesia. Future research recommended the application of the MBP concept by integrating various pedagogical models in one lesson to achieve legalized PE learning outcomes. Keywords: model-based practice, physical education teaching, quality of PE teaching, sustainable sports development

Exposing illegal hunting and wildlife depletion in the world's largest tropical country through social media data.

Globally, illegal sport hunting can threaten prey populations when unregulated. Due to its covert nature, illegal sport hunting poses challenges for data collection, hindering efforts to understand the full extent of its impacts. We gathered social media data to analyze patterns of illegal sport hunting and wildlife depletion across Brazil. We collected data for 2years (2018-2020) across 5 Facebook groups containing posts depicting pictures of illegal sport hunting events of native fauna. We described and mapped these hunting events by detailing the number of hunters involved, the number of species, the mean body mass of individuals, and the number and biomass of individuals hunted per unit area, stratified by Brazilian biome. We also examined the effects of defaunation on hunting yield and composition via regression models, rank-abundance curves, and spatial interpolation. We detected 2046 illegal sport hunting posts portraying the hunting of 4658 animals (∼29t of undressed meat) across all 27 states and 6 natural biomes of Brazil. Of 157 native species targeted by hunters, 19 are currently threatened with extinction. We estimated that 1414 hunters extracted 3251kg/millionkm2. Some areas exhibited more pronounced wildlife depletion, in particular the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes. In these areas, there was a shift from large mammals and reptiles to small birds as the main targeted taxa, and biomass extracted per hunting event and mean body mass across all taxonomic groups were lower than in other areas. Our results highlight that illegal sport hunting adds to the pressures of subsistence hunting and the wild meat trade on Brazil's wildlife populations. Enhanced surveillance efforts are needed to reduce illegal sport hunting levels and to develop well-managed sustainable sport hunting programs. These can support wildlife conservation and offer incentives for local communities to oversee designated sport hunting areas.

Strategies For Sustainable Sports Events: Understanding the Stakeholders Challenge for Collaboration

Ensuring sustainability in sports events is a complex challenge wherein stakeholders play a pivotal role. This study synthesizes existing literature to comprehensively explore the multifaceted dynamics of stakeholder collaboration in sustainable sports events. The diverse interests and goals among stakeholders, identified as a primary challenge, underscore the complexity of achieving sustainability. Drawing on insights, this study emphasizes the need for a shared vision to align stakeholders and mitigate conflicts arising from disparate priorities. Communication and coordination issues are critical challenges, necessitating transparent, two-way communication channels to build trust and enhance collaboration. Power dynamics pose another significant challenge, emphasizing the importance of balancing power among stakeholders to ensure fairness and inclusivity. Long-term engagement requires continuous engagement, collaborative decision-making, and ongoing communication to sustain stakeholders' interest throughout the event's lifecycle. Social inclusivity contributes to the legacy of sustainable sports events, fostering social cohesion, cultural exchange, and promoting human rights. This study aims to provide nuanced insights into stakeholder collaboration challenges, offering practical strategies for event organizers and contributing to ongoing discourse on sustainable sports event outcomes.

S15-1: Sports clubs as health promotion settings: From physical activity to sustainable sport - a question of how!

S15-1: Sports clubs as health promotion settings: From physical activity to sustainable sport - a question of how!

Sustainable Sports Nutrition – a Narrative Review of Evidence-Based Approaches Towards more Sustainable Diets for Athletes

Sustainable Sports Nutrition – a Narrative Review of Evidence-Based Approaches Towards more Sustainable Diets for Athletes

Identifying and Analyzing Factors and Obstacles Affecting Sustainable Employment Iranian Sports Science Graduates

Identifying and Analyzing Factors and Obstacles Affecting Sustainable Employment Iranian Sports Science Graduates

Performance with Purpose: A Review on the Role of Sustainable Marketing in Sports Nutrition.

The research emphasizes the alignment of marketing strategies with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through promoting sustainable agriculture, health benefits, consumer education, and local and seasonal eating. Despite challenges such as economic disparities and cultural differences, technological advancements and collaborative efforts among stakeholders offer opportunities to enhance sustainable food marketing. The paper concludes that integrating sustainability, health, and environmental awareness into food marketing is crucial for promoting better consumer choices and advancing global sustainability goals. By understanding regional behaviors and leveraging technology, marketers can effectively drive demand for sustainable and healthy sports nutrition products, contributing to a more sustainable food system and improved public health outcomes.

Evaluation of Sustainable University Campuses and Sports Facilities from the Perspective of Administrators and Students: A Multiple Case Study

Sustainable higher education institutions contribute to the building of a sustainable society at regional and global levels by raising individuals with environmental awareness. Universities can also offer their stakeholders the opportunity to lead a healthy life with the sports fields on their campuses In this context, the “campuses” and “sports fields” of 6 Turkish universities which are in the top ten of the UI GreenMetric list (ranked by country), were analyzed in a holistic structure with a qualitative paradigm in terms of sustainability officers, sports facilities managers and students. The research was designed in a case study pattern and supported by in-depth interviews and document analysis. In this direction, it was analyzed within the scope of themes and sub-themes with the descriptive analysis method. As a result of the findings, it has been found that the sustainability studies in the examined universities are mainly carried out on environmental sustainability such as energy, water and waste management. It has been revealed that the reason for this for legal obligations. In addition, it has been determined that the sustainability initiatives of private universities are carried out both with various sustainability rating systems (STARS, THE, etc.) and within the framework of an integrated program with students. The inclusion of the opinions of the participants of different statuses in the study enabled us to reach multi-dimensional findings and results in the research fields.

Modern trends in the formation of sports and recreational complexes

Today, in the context of the demographic and environmental crisis in Ukraine caused by military actions, it is extremely important to consider the trend of formation of sports infrastructure facilities as those subjects of the urban recreational network that will take the main position in the post-war period in the task of rehabilitation of the population. The nature of the urban structure makes us look at the modern sports complex as an integrated entity of the general recreational network. As a result, the problem of interconnection of the sports function with other functions in the structure of a single multifunctional complex is becoming more relevant. The article highlights the problems of formation of sports and recreational complexes in modern conditions. The factors that influence the modification of the form of SRC and the vectors of further development of the typology of this type of buildings and structures are identified. The design of sports infrastructure facilities should include a generalisation of modern experience and the application of the method of prospective analysis to determine trends in the development of the form of the SRC. This involves analysing current needs and forecasting future requirements for sports and recreational facilities, taking into account changes in public attitudes, demographic trends and the impact of technological innovations. The study is based on a systematic approach where sports and recreational complexes are considered as an element of the socio-cultural space. The use of a holistic architectural approach involved the application of methods for generalising modern experience in the design of facilities of this type and the method of prospective analysis, which will help to identify trends in the development of the form of sports and recreation complexes. The results of the study can be used to develop and adjust the existing architectural research base and the strategy for the reconstruction of Ukraine. They will contribute to the creation of an effective, modern and sustainable sports infrastructure in modern Ukrainian cities.

Resident demand-oriented selection and spatial layout strategy for public sports facilities

In response to elevated living standards and evolving recreational values, public sports facilities have become a focal point. This study, targeting the central districts of Yiyang City across 17 neighborhoods, integrates questionnaire surveys, in-depth interviews, and geographic information system analysis to address the diversified needs in sports infrastructure. It reveals a discrepancy characterised by uniform facility types and flawed layouts, notably in Heshan and Ziyang, that fail to satisfy the diversified demands of residents. Consequently, the research introduces a bottom-up strategy, emphasising the need for facility selections and spatial layouts informed by community needs. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of demographic factors such as age, income, and education in guiding facility placement strategies to accommodate a broad spectrum of users. By doing so, the study contributes a novel, resident-focused framework to the discourse on public sports facilities, promoting sustainable and inclusive urban sports environment development.

Maisons sport-santé: A tool for promoting an active lifestyle

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games promise not only world-class sporting competition, but also a legacy of sustainable sport that extends far beyond the stadiums. At the heart of this legacy are the Healthy Sports Houses, innovative projects designed to promote an active lifestyle and improve public health in the long term.

Analysis of sports policy in Papua in the formation of the Papuan contingent at the XX National Sports Week (PON)

Analyzing sports policy in Papua in the formation of the XX PON contingent is something that must be done because the achievements of Papua Province at the national level at the national sports week (PON) event, which is held every 4 years, will be increasingly competitive. This study aims to analyze sports policy in Papua in the formation of the Papua contingent at the XX national sports week (PON). Using qualitative methods with data collection techniques interviews, observation and documentation. With the policy analysis methodology used in problem solving: problem formulation, forecasting, recommendations, monitoring, and evaluation. The participants were the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Papua, the Papua Sports and Youth Office (DISORDA), the Papua Provincial Sports Branch Management, coaches and athletes totaling 22 people. The results of this analysis found that the policies taken by Papua Province in the formation of the XX PON contingent related to the recruitment of Papuan domiciled athletes, recruitment of athletes domiciled outside Papua (contract athletes) and training centers inside and outside Papua aim to determine the medal acquisition target, improve achievement and become a good host. The results of the study concluded that the province of Papua has a policy, namely the Papua Governor Regulation Number 29 of 2020 concerning the Description of Duties and Functions of the Papua Provincial Sports and Youth Office and in the stage of drafting a Special Regional Regulation (PERDASUS) of Sports and the use of athlete mutation regulations in the framework of PON contained in KONI Decree Number 56 of 2010 as an attitude of primordialism to achieve the successful achievement target of the host of the XX Papua PON. Through this research can provide positive input for the Papua provincial government to realize the Sports PERDASUS so that the selection of potential athletes in Papua is managed with a planned, systematic, measurable and sustainable sports coaching pattern. Keywords: Sports Policy, Papua Contingent, PON XX

Kinesiophobia, exercise addiction and mindfulness in athletes

Background and Study Aim. Since athletes tend to be addicted to exercise, they are at a higher risk of experiencing sports injuries compared to others. Exercise addiction and kinesiophobia, which is the fear of (re)injury and movement after an injury, are distinct but related concepts for athletes. It has been stated that mindfulness helps individuals to diminish their kinesiophobia. However, little is known about the relationship between exercise addiction, kinesiophobia, and mindfulness among athletes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate kinesiophobia, exercise addiction, and mindfulness among athletes and to examine the effect of certain variables on these three concepts. Material and Methods. The sample of the study consisted of 313 athletes over the age of 18. Participants were included in the study on a voluntary basis, using the convenience sampling method. Study data were collected with the 'Demographic Form', the 'Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia', and the 'Exercise Addiction Scale'. Results. The study discovered that national athletes exhibited statistically higher levels of exercise addiction compared to non-national athletes. Similarly, athletes suffering from chronic pain showed higher exercise addiction scores than those without chronic pain. Furthermore, athletes who had sustained sports injuries demonstrated higher exercise addiction levels compared to those who had not. It was also determined that athletes with pain or movement limitations due to sports injuries exhibited increased levels of kinesiophobia compared to those without such limitations. In addition, athletes with chronic pain reported higher levels of kinesiophobia compared to their counterparts without chronic pain. Female athletes were found to have higher levels of mindful awareness compared to male athletes. Additionally, when analyzing the relationship between these three parameters, a negative correlation was observed between kinesiophobia and mindfulness among athletes. Conclusions. While kinesiophobia and exercise addiction are not directly related, there is a negative relationship between kinesiophobia and mindfulness. Furthermore, chronic pain and limitations in movement after a sports injury are identified as risk factors for kinesiophobia. Additionally, being a national athlete, experiencing chronic pain, and sustaining sports injuries are considered risk factors for exercise addiction.

Research on Analytical Model of Participation and Social Influence of She Sports Activities Based on Multi-source Data Fusion

The present research looks into the involvement and societal impact of women's sports activities by developing an analytical model based on multi-source data fusion. The She people, a nomadic farming tribe in southern China, have a rich cultural legacy, with sports playing an important part in community bonding and cultural expression. This study tries to explore the complex dynamics of sports engagement within the She community by combining multiple datasets from surveys, social media analysis, observational studies, and historical records. The analytical model constructed in this study examines the elements that influence sports participation among the She people, taking into account gender dynamics, resource availability, cultural norms, community support, and individual incentives. By combining data on community cohesion, gender dynamics, cultural preservation, and individual well-being, the model provides insights into the social impact of She sports activities. Further, this research examines the unequal impact of sports engagement on several demographic groups in the She community, providing a more nuanced understanding of how sports activities interface with larger social structures and inequities. The findings of this study contribute to the progress of knowledge in sports sociology and cultural anthropology, while also providing practical insights for developing inclusive and sustainable sports practices in the She community. As a result, increased sports participation and high-quality development were linked to stronger social bonds and community cohesion.

Development and experiences of an internet-based acceptance and commitment training (I-ACT) intervention in ice hockey players: a qualitative feasibility study.

Internet-based psychological interventions have increased the accessibility of evidence-based treatments in clinical psychology but are still an unexplored delivery format in sport psychology research. This study describes the development and evaluates the experiences of an internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy/training (I-ACT) intervention in ice hockey players focusing on performance enhancement and a sustainable sport participation. I-ACT consisted of seven weekly modules and the feasibility of the intervention was investigated using a qualitative research design. Four national level ice hockey players took part of I-ACT and were interviewed about their experiences using a semi-structured protocol. Interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings suggest that the content of I-ACT was comprehensible, relevant, and that it was possible to put the psychological skills into practice. I-ACT was described as helpful to the ice hockey players either in their sport performance or in their life outside of sport. The internet-format was generally perceived as positive, flexible, and a feasible option for delivering psychological interventions in an elite sport context. Some concerns were raised regarding the timing of the intervention at the end of the season, and some players also wished for more time to complete I-ACT. It was also expressed that some of the exercises could have been better adapted for goaltenders. Further trials are needed to evaluate the effects of I-ACT on performance and mental health outcomes in various sport populations using robust quantitative research methodology. Internet-based psychological interventions are a potential future opportunity to make evidence-based practices more accessible for athletes.