Youth Sport Events Research Articles

Sports officials and parents as spectators: Diffusing tensions on the sidelines

Youth sport competitions are often emotionally charged events, with children, parents, coaches, and officials reporting emotions ranging from anxiety and stress through to enjoyment because of their involvement. One of the sources for the negative emotions and experiences associated with youth sport is the behaviors displayed by spectators on the sidelines. Typically, in youth sport events, these spectators are the parents of the children involved in the competition. Recognizing the detrimental consequences that arise for children when parents are inappropriately or negatively involved on the sidelines, sport psychology researchers and practitioners have increasingly targeted interventions at improving parents’ involvement in competitions. Although such interventions are valuable and important for improving children’s youth sport experiences, their focus is typically exclusively upon the interactions and relationships between parents and their children. However, negative behaviors from parents on the sidelines can also impact others in the environment, particularly sports officials who report abuse and aggression from the sidelines as one of the primary reasons for leaving their roles. As officiating numbers decline, sporting organizations are considering how to best tackle these attrition rates and one area that may be worthy of consideration is the interaction between parents and officials. To-date, limited consideration has been given to the bi-directional interactions between parents and officials or to steps that could be taken to improve interactions. To this end, the purpose of this commentary is to increase awareness, initiate conversations, stimulate research, and enhance applied practice targeting the interactions between officials and parents in youth sport.

Adult Negative Spectator Behavior at Youth Sporting Events.

Due to its competitive nature, youth sports may provide an environment that invites the display of negative parenting behavior and exposes children to adults outside of their own household. This study aimed to quantify the frequency of negative parent and spectator behavior at youth sporting events and compare incidences across different sports and age ranges. Investigators attended baseball, basketball, soccer, and football events in Central O'ahu, Hawai'i for children ages 6 to 10 years. Recorded spectator behaviors included alcohol use, smoking, swearing, and negative language (such as threats and violent language). Negative behaviors were reported at a majority (68%) of events. The 95% confidence intervals of the means (95% CIM) for all negative behaviors observed were overlapping, and we were not able to demonstrate statistically significant differences between the 4 sports. The lack of significance between sports may be due to the younger-player-age group, small sample size, and time of events.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for Sideline Youth Sports Coverage.

The purpose of this review is to discuss the use of point-of-care ultrasound for sideline youth sports coverage. Participation in youth sports has been increasing, with trends that athletes are specializing earlier and competing at higher levels at younger ages (NSCH 2019, Fabricant 2013). Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) utilizes non-invasive imaging to diagnose and manage various musculoskeletal conditions ranging from traumatic injuries, such as fractures and intramuscular hematomas, to early screening for conditions such as asymptomatic knee lesions. Since it is well-tolerated by children and adolescents and allows for easy accessibility for sideline care, POCUS could provide a strong alternative to other imaging modalities such as x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as both have their limitations. Youth sideline sports coverage could be enhanced with immediate medical attention from ultrasound-trained medical professionals. On the sidelines of a traumatic injury, POCUS expedites patient care with immediate examination of acute injuries. In low resource and hard-to-reach locations such as a rural youth sporting event, it can be key in the triaging of injuries. As a supplement to a physical exam, the risk of a misdiagnosis is reduced, and a long, expensive trip to the hospital for unnecessary imaging studies may be avoided. Ultrasound is a versatile, non-invasive, radiation-free imaging modality that serves as an accessible option for sideline coverage at youth sporting events. Ultrasound is well-tolerated by children and adolescents. It can be used to evaluate, diagnose, and manage a range of musculoskeletal conditions at the sidelines of youth sports.

Youth Sport Spectating among Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant changes to family life and youth sports activities around the globe. In efforts to promote continuity and youth participation in sports, and in lieu of risks for spreading the virus at competitions and games, the youth sport environment adapted to meet emerging health and safety protocols. The cancellation of youth sports and shifts to virtual spectating (i.e., watching children play sports online) were often enacted to protect families, yet little is known about how these changes physically, socially, and psychologically impacted parents and the family system. In response, we conducted a mixed-methods study to explore the lived experiences of parents of youth sport participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. This novel and exploratory research discovered several shifts in the physical environment of youth sport, including challenges with technology and limitations in the number of spectators at youth sporting events. Findings also revealed an array of psychosocial experiences among parents including feelings of grief, frustration, and sadness due to restrictions and sport cancellations, as well as fewer child-parent interactions and a diminished connection to sport in response to virtual spectating. We developed a conceptual model of how shifts in the youth sport environment influenced parent spectators. Our findings have important implications for practice and inform future areas of research regarding youth sports and the family system. Keywords: parent spectators; youth sports; COVID-19 pandemic; family systems

Factors associated with parent and youth athlete concussion knowledge

Introduction: On-site health care providers are not routinely present at all youth sport events. Therefore, parents and youth athletes are often responsible for identifying and making appropriate immediate care decisions regarding concussions, which may be influenced by their injury health literacy. Previous studies have investigated the level of concussion knowledge of parents and athletes, but few have investigated factors associated with greater awareness at the youth sport level specifically. Method: A total of 466 parents and 390 youth contact sport athletes from Pennsylvania and Michigan completed separate surveys of concussion knowledge and personal and family demographic information. Results: Parents had a mean concussion knowledge score of 39.3 ± 4.6 out of a possible 47 points. Having a medical occupation (p = .04) and being older in age (p = .03) were associated with higher concussion knowledge scores in parents (R2 = 0.018; 95% CI = 32.77–38.99). Youth athletes had a mean concussion knowledge score of 35.0 ± 5.7 out of 47. Having learned about concussion previously (p < .001), having a history of diagnosed concussion(s) (p = .01), sport type (relative to girls’ ice hockey, p < .001), older age (p < .001), and parent concussion knowledge (p = .04) were associated with higher youth athlete concussion knowledge (R2 = 0.176; 95% CI = 19.08–31.72). Conclusions: More evidence-based concussion awareness resources are needed at the youth sport level. While it did not significantly influence concussion knowledge for parents, concussion education is a modifiable factor that may be essential for improving concussion knowledge of youth athletes, thus warranting further study into effective awareness strategies for this population. Practical Applications: The factors found to influence concussion knowledge in this study could be considered in future educational concussion initiatives for youth athletes and their parents in order to increase awareness regarding the potential dangers of participating in sport while concussed.

Towards an understanding of family travel decision-making processes in the context of youth sport tourism

Youth sport tourism has grown into a distinct travel segment over the past decade. While communities have invested in sport tourism initiatives, building dedicated sports facilities and competing to host tournaments, little academic attention has been paid to understanding the travel planning and decision-making associated with youth sport families. Utilising an inductive approach, the purpose of this study was to examine the processes and decisions parents make in the context of youth sport tourism to facilitate their children's travel sport participation. In-depth interviews were conducted with youth sport parents from the two US states with significant investments in sport tourism: Indiana and Florida. ( n = 15 FL; n = 18 IN). Three themes were identified in the parents' narratives using grounded theory methods, (1) Travel Logistics, (2) Flow-on Tourism, and (3) Tourn-acations. Travel logistics were dominated by decisions over accommodations and transportation with price and team bonding of consideration. A series of barriers and enablers to participation in flow-on tourism were identified including tournament schedules and proximity to tourist attractions. Decisions to create a mini-vacation out of the tournament trip (tourn-acation) were associated with novelty, distance from home, and timing such as tournaments scheduled around national holidays. A model outlining the family travel decision-making process in the context of youth sport tourism is proffered. Recommendations for DMOs leveraging the flow-on tourism associated with youth sport-events are discussed in addition to acknowledging the role of youth sport tourism in post Covid-19 tourism recovery. • Youth sport tourism family travel decision-making model is proposed. • Price and a desire to be with the team shapes decisions over travel logistics. • Flow-on tourism barriers and enablers identified. • Novelty, distance from home, and timing shape tourn-acation propensity.

Physiological Societies Across the Globe Unite in an Effort to Handle the COVID-19 Pandemic

Physiological Societies Across the Globe Unite in an Effort to Handle the COVID-19 Pandemic

Attracting Spectators to Youth Sport Events: The Case of the International Children’s Games

The purpose of this study was to determine whether perceptions of value of a youth sport event were predicted by a spectator’s sport identity, their connection to an athlete, and how their assessment of the event’s uniqueness affects these relationships. Data were collected from spectators (N=714) at the 2013 International Children’s Games using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results provided support for an indirect only mediated model, such that spectators who highly identified with being a sports fan perceived the event as being valuable when they also viewed the event as unique. Having a personal connection to an athlete did not predict perceptions of uniqueness or value. Thus, purposefully selecting and designing unique events and promoting the unique attributes of the event could increase an event’s appeal to spectators who highly identify with the sport.

The Verbal Aggression of Spectators at Youth Baseball Games: Investigating the Impact of Competition Level, Team Identification, and Fan Dysfunction

Previous research had found that level of team identification was positively associated with aggression at youth sporting events (Wann, Weaver, Belva, Ladd, &amp; Armstrong, 2015). The current investigation was designed to extend this work by incorporating fan dysfunction into the model (i.e., fans who are confrontational and frequently complain). Spectators at either a recreational or select (i.e., travel) youth baseball game completed a survey packet assessing demographics, team identification with their favorite Major League Baseball team, identification with the youth team, fan dysfunction, and hostile and instrumental verbal aggression directed toward officials and opponents. Results indicated that, contrary to expectations, team identification was not a unique predictor of verbal aggression. Rather, fan dysfunction predicted each form of aggression, aggression toward both targets, and total aggression.

Parental insights from three elite-level youth sports: implications for family life

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine parental values associated with children’s participation in organized sports, how these values are shaped by social class, race and age, and the influence of elite-level involvement in youth sport on family life. Data were collected by questionnaire in person from parents who were attending three youth sport events (Athletics (track and field) n = 102, Swimming n = 193, Synchronized Swimming n = 139). ANOVA, multiple regression, and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. Values associated with the child/youth’s sport participation included fun, health, self-discipline, and competition. Multiple regression analysis showed that values differed by social class, age, and race, and child/youth’s age. For example, fun and self-discipline were rated higher for younger children while competition was valued more highly for older children. In particular, African-American parents rated self-discipline and competition as significantly higher. Parents across all sports reported the need to organize family activities around sport schedules with swimming and synchronized swimming cited as the most influential. Suggestions as to how Leisure Studies’ research foci on youth, family life, gender and time are well positioned to make valuable contributions to the study of youth sport in the context of family life are discussed.

Identification of Concussion in Youth Sports: Perceptions of Sideline Stakeholders

To understand perception of stakeholders who make decisions on the sidelines of youth sporting events about concussion.

Youth sport and spirituality: Catholic perspectives

Unsportsmanlike behaviour by student athletes or parents at youth sporting events happens with regularity these days. Much recent research reveals that young people are dropping out of sport at alarming rates due to the often toxic elements in the culture of youth sports. The timely, innovative essays in Youth Sport and Spirituality present a wide-ranging overview that draws on resources from Catholic spiritual and theological traditions to address problems such as these, as well as opportunities in youth sport in the United States. The book consists of two sections. In the first, prominent scholars in philosophy, psychology, theology, and spirituality reflect on how youth sport contributes to the integral development of the person and his or her grasp of spiritual values or how it impedes such development and leads to desolation with respect to questions of meaning. The second half of the book consists of chapters written by coaches, athletic directors, and specialists working with youth coaches. These practitioners share how their approaches to working with youth in sport contribute to the integral development of their players and their openness to transcendent values. The essays examine coaching as ministry, youth sport and moral development, and how parents can act as partners in youth sports, among other topics. The book will interest coaches, athletic directors, and youth ministers in Catholic elementary and high schools in parish settings, as well as undergraduate and graduate students in education who are preparing to teach in Catholic schools.

The Prevalence of Sport Specialization in Youth Athletes Participating in Summer Sport Tournaments

Early focus in a single sport at the exclusion of other sports (sport specialization) is theorized to increase the risk of overuse injuries. New tools have been developed to better classify athletes along a spectrum of specialization. However, the prevalence of sport specialization in a broad sample of youth athletes has yet to be investigated. PURPOSE:To determine the prevalence of sport specialization in youth athletes participating in summer sport tournaments. A secondary purpose was to investigate prevalence of specialization by gender, age, and sport. METHODS:Athletes, ages 12-18 (age = 13.8 ± 1.6 years) were recruited at youth sporting events. Participants completed a survey about their sport specialization history. Degree of specialization in athletes was classified as low, moderate, or high, using a scale based on the following questions: 1) Do you train in 1 sport more than 8 months/year 2) Have you quit a sport to focus on a primary sport 3) Do you consider your primary sport more important than other sports. Data was summarized by means and standard deviations, frequencies and proportions (%). Chi-square tests were used to investigate associations of specialization category by sex, age, and sport (a-priori p≤.05). RESULTS:1819 athletes completed the survey with 37.9% (n=689) classified as highly specialized (moderate: 37.5% (n=682); low: 24.6% (n=448)). Females (41.7%) were more likely to be classified as highly specialized compared to males (34.3%) (X2 = 10.8, P= 0.005). Age influenced specialization (X2 = 23.2, P= 0.03), with 47% of 15 year olds classified as highly specialized (largest proportion) and 12 year olds having the lowest proportion (31.4%). Of the 5 sports with the largest number of respondents (soccer, swimming, basketball, lacrosse, and ice hockey), lacrosse had the greatest proportion of specialized athletes (51.8%, P= 0.004). CONCLUSIONS:Approximately one-third of youth athletes are highly specialized. These percentages vary by age, gender, and sport. Specialization seems to peak around age 15 and females are more highly specialized compared to males. A better understanding of the prevalence and factors associated with specialization may aid in the long-term benefit of athletes. Supported by the Sports Medicine Classic and the Wisconsin Center for Education Research

Young athlete major event experiences: brand co-creators and ambassadors

Youth sport events have become rather recent line extensions within some of the world’s largest sport event properties such as the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). This paper draws on feedback from 184 young athletes regarding their experiences during the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) in the Isle of Man. The athlete perspective is considered in lieu of some of the stated brand promises of the CGF. Athlete feedback demonstrated that the CYG acts as a conduit to protect important aspects of the brand while adding further potential to enhance other brand assets. Consequently, for the property rights holders to raise the level of quality for youth athletes in particular, management must recognize the value in their feedback and opinion and consider them important co-creators of the brand.

Sideline Coverage of Youth Football

Youth football is a popular sport in the United States and has been for some time. There are currently more than 3 million participants in youth football leagues according to USA Football. While the number of participants and overall injuries may be higher in other sports, football has a higher rate of injuries. Most youth sporting events do not have medical personnel on the sidelines in event of an injury or emergency. Therefore it is necessary for youth sports coaches to undergo basic medical training in order to effectively act in these situations. In addition, an argument could be made that appropriate medical personnel should be on the sideline for collision sports at all levels, from youth to professional. This article will discuss issues pertinent to sideline coverage of youth football, including coaching education, sideline personnel, emergency action plans, age and size divisions, tackle versus flag football, and injury prevention.

Medical Management of Youth Baseball and Softball Tournaments

The medical management of youth baseball and softball tournaments requires both proper planning and a basic awareness of commonly seen sport-specific injuries. While youth sporting events are designed to be a fun experience for all, injuries and emergencies will occur. With proper planning, and supplies, the impact of these issues can be minimized. This article will outline some basic principles for the medical personnel that may be involved in youth baseball and softball events.

Event image and traveling parents’ intentions to attend youth sport events: a test of the reasoned action model

Youth sport events provide communities with an influx of families who travel to provide their children with primary sport experiences. Decisions to participate in these ‘sport-cations’ are influenced by overall perceptions about the event, opportunities for socializing, and norms derived from family and friends’ support. The study aimed to understand the impact of overall event image on traveling parents’ subjective norms (SNs), attitudes, and behavioral intentions to re-attend similar youth sport events. Parents of youth female soccer players (N = 370) were surveyed at a youth tournament. Structural equation modeling analysis was utilized to test the proposed model. The results supported the positive influence of event image on attitudes and SNs and the impact of SNs on intentions. Based on these findings, peer influence becomes important. Efforts at managing event image should involve influencing the social network of parents about the importance of these events to achieve higher return rates.

Emotional Experiences of Youth Sport Parents I: Anger

Although there is general agreement that some sideline behavior at youth sport events is problematic (Goldstein & Iso-Ahola, 2008), the reasons why parent spectators sometimes act inappropriately are not well understood. Given that the most problematic behaviors appear to be motivated by anger (Omli & LaVoi, 2009), the purpose of this study is to identify sources of anger from the perspective of parents. Participants (n = 773, 59% female) described specific instances in which they got angry during a youth sport event. A grounded theory analysis yielded three types of perceived offenses—uncaring, unjust, and incompetent—and four categories of perceived offenders—referees, coaches, participants, and other parent spectators.

Kids Speak

News reports (e.g., Abrams, 2008) and scholarly research (e.g., Wiersma & Fifer, 2005) have indicated increasing concern that parent-spectator behavior at youth sport events may be problematic. Multiple strategies have been used to influence spectator behavior in youth sport contexts (e.g., “Silent Sundays”). However, it is unlikely that interventions aimed at changing parent-spectator behaviors have adequately considered young athletes' perspectives, because little is known about how children want parents to behave during youth sport events. Therefore, children (ages 7–14 years) were asked to describe how parents actually behaved at youth sport events and how they wanted parents to behave. Through grounded theory analysis (Charmaz, 2000), three parent “roles” emerged from the data—supportive parent, demanding coach, and crazed fan.

Sports-Related Injuries in Youth Athletes: Is Overscheduling a Risk Factor?

To examine the association between "overscheduling" and sports-related overuse and acute injuries in young athletes and to identify other potential contributing factors to create a working definition for "overscheduling injury." Survey. Six university-based sports medicine clinics in North America. Athletes aged 6 to 18 years (13.8 ± 2.6) and their parents and pediatric sports medicine-trained physicians. Questionnaires developed from literature review and expert consensus to investigate overscheduling and sports-related injuries were completed over a 3-month period. Physician's clinical diagnosis and injury categorization: acute not fatigue related (AI), overuse not fatigue related (OI), acute fatigue related (AFI), or overuse fatigue related (OFI). Overall, 360 questionnaires were completed (84% response rate). Overuse not fatigue-related injuries were encountered most often (44.7%), compared with AI (41.9%) and OFI (9.7%). Number of practices within 48 hours before injury was higher (1.7 ± 1.5) for athletes with OI versus those with AI (1.3 ± 1.4; P = 0.025). Athlete or parent perception of excessive play/training without adequate rest in the days before the injury was related to overuse (P = 0.016) and fatigue-related injuries (P = 0.010). Fatigue-related injuries were related to sleeping ≤6 hours the night before the injury (P = 0.028). When scheduling youth sporting events, potential activity volume and intensity over any 48-hour period, recovery time between all training and competition bouts, and potential between-day sleep time (≥ 7 hours) should be considered to optimize safety. An overscheduling injury can be defined as an injury related to excessive planned physical activity without adequate time for rest and recovery, including between training sessions/competitions and consecutive days.