It is a common assumption that sport is good for us and that participation in sport embodies public health benefits. With sport being increasingly used to deliver public health interventions worldwide, this book critically examines the rationale and evidence for sport as a public health policy tool. Featuring contributions from the United Kingdom, United States, Europe and Australia, it sheds new light on an emerging field of research which has significant implications for public health across the globe.
Each chapter looks at the effectiveness of sport interventions across the lifespan for biological, psychological and social benefits, including those that utilise a settings-based approach to health promotion such as schools and professional sport clubs. Drawing on cutting-edge research which examines policy and practice at community and elite levels, this book addresses key topics such as education, engaging children and young adults, mental health, sport sponsorship and volunteering.
Sport and Health: Exploring the Current State of Play is important reading for all students, scholars and policy makers with an interest in the sociology of sport, physical activity and public health.
Introduction [Daniel Parnell and Peter Krustrup] 1. Is sport good for us? Understanding youth sport as a public health setting [Richard Bailey] 2. Sport, health and PA in children [Tara Coppinger] 3. Positioning physical activity and sport in a child-friendly manner [Ed Cope] 4.Older adults, physical activity and public health [Andy Pringle and Stephen Zwolinsky] 5. Health through state supported voluntary sport clubs [Søren Bennike, Lone Friis Thing and Laila Ottesen] 6. Psychological benefits of team sport [Johan Wikman, Peter Elsborg and Knud Ryom] 7. Mental health, physical activity and sport [Simon Rosenbaum, Davy Vancampfort, Oscar Lederman and Brendon Stubbs] 8. Sport, physical activity and public health policy [Bob Snape and Kathryn Curran] 9. Sport and health: The unique challenge of elite sport [Shawn M. Arent and Alan J. Walker] 10. Sport and health: The prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases [Peter Krustrup and Morten Bredsgaard Randers] 11. Healthy sport consumption: Moving away from pies and beer [Keith D. Parry, David Rowe, Emma S. George and Timothy J. Hall] 12. Healthy stadia: A settings based approach to health promotion [Daniel Parnell, Kathryn Curran and Matthew Philpott]
