Moving for Health applied to the sport setting

Welcome to the stop devoted to the sport settings on our MfH roadmap exploration.

The sport club or association setting offers a unique opportunity to bridge physical activity with community engagement, fostering health and physical literacy in a supportive, structured environment. Sport clubs are pivotal in promoting active lifestyles, providing accessible spaces for movement, and cultivating a sense of belonging.

This stop explores the integration of health-promoting physical activities within various sport environments. By the end of this module, you will:

  1. understand the definition and scope of sport settings,
  2. be able to identify key components of the MfH model relevant to these settings,
  3. analyze a case study showcasing best practices,
  4. and access resources for further learning.

[Step 1] What we mean by sport setting

In Europe, a "sport setting" related to sport clubs and sport associations refers to the environments and contexts where organised sports activities take place. This includes the physical locations, such as sports facilities, fields, and gyms, as well as the organisational structures and communities that support these activities.

Sport clubs and associations play a significant role in promoting physical activity and fostering community engagement. They provide opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in sports, develop skills, and engage in social interactions. These settings are often supported by volunteers, coaches, and administrators who help organise and manage activities.

Key characteristics of sport settings in Europe include:

  1. Community focus: Sport clubs and associations often serve as community hubs, bringing people together and promoting social cohesion.
  2. Accessibility: Efforts are made to ensure that sports facilities and programmes are accessible to a wide range of participants, including those with disabilities.
  3. Developmental opportunities: These settings provide pathways for talent development, from grassroots participation to elite performance levels.
  4. Policy and governance: Sport clubs and associations operate within frameworks set by national and international sports governing bodies, ensuring standards and regulations are met.

These sport settings are essential for promoting physical literacy and health literacy, as they provide structured environments where individuals can learn about and engage in healthy, active lifestyles.

The sport club setting in the MfH project empowers communities to live healthier, more active lives. By combining PL and HL within a familiar and dynamic space, we can inspire lifelong habits, break down barriers to activity, and celebrate the joy of movement together.

This approach integrates the MfH goals into the sport club setting while making a compelling case for its importance in fostering a healthier, more active society.

The objectives for the sport club setting in the MfH model are:

  • To enhance PL: Equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to engage in various physical activities.
  • To improve HL: Raise awareness about the relationship between physical activity, nutrition, mental well-being, and overall health.
  • To create inclusive programmes: Ensure that activities are welcoming and adaptable to diverse abilities and needs.
  • To integrate health promotion: Include educational components, such as workshops on injury prevention, healthy eating, and mental resilience.

[Step 2] Critical elements of the MfH model to focus on in the sport setting

Health promotion is usually only one of the main activities pursued by and at sports organisations (in particular clubs and associations). However, health promotion in sports organisations holds significant potential. Clubs can become ideal settings for promoting healthy lifestyles and reaching a broad population, from young athletes to senior members and have a global health impact.

Emerging evidence shows that PL may be a stronger predictor of adolescent Health than sports and exercise participation. Thus, prioritising the development of PL and all its elements (e.g. social, physical, cognitive, emotional) rather than just PA levels and performance is crucial for long-term health and lifelong engagement in PA, and should be considered by all trainers and all sports club members (e.g., coaches, sports directors, family).

Many barriers need to be removed to promote long-term athlete well-being and PA participation for life. Some of those barriers are related to accessibility and inclusivity_,_ developmentally inappropriate practices, lack of expertise and education from the coaches and sports agents, and the emphasis on winning often overshadows the holistic development and HL of the participants.

In short, within the MfH model , key activities in the sport club setting may include:

  • Skill-Building Workshops: Develop motor skills, movement confidence, and understanding of game strategies.
  • Health Education Sessions: Partner with health professionals to provide practical advice on maintaining physical and mental health.
  • Community Events: Organise tournaments, fitness challenges, and open days to engage the broader community.
  • Inclusion Initiatives: Offer programmes for underrepresented groups, such as adaptive sports for individuals with disabilities or women-only classes.
  • Monitoring and Feedback: Track participants' progress in health and physical literacy, providing feedback and encouraging ongoing development.

The benefits for stakeholders will be as such:

  • Participants: Improved physical fitness, mental health, and social connections.
  • Sport Clubs: Increased membership and enhanced reputation as community health promoters.
  • Health Sector: Reduced healthcare burden through preventive measures.
  • Community: Strengthened social cohesion and reduced sedentary behaviour.

[Step 3] A case study of good practice in this setting

Presentation of the good practice:

  • Title: “Movement preparation”, a physical literacy-enriched warm-up programme
  • Lead organisation and country: The Canadian Soccer Association, Sport for Life and the Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Context: The movement preparation programme was developed based on scientific findings to promote physical literacy and provide a warm-up not only focusing on the body but also on the mind and the sustainability (durability and safety) of the training and the physical activity.
  • Brief description: The activities are designed to: be implemented in relatively small active space from gym to outdoor field, use readily accessible materials (cones and ladders), be developmentally progressive to maximize personal excellence and performance excellence.
  • Key deliverables and components: The Movement Preparation program includes a variety of exercises designed to enhance physical literacy and prepare the body for activity. Here are some key exercises typically included:\
    • Dynamic Warm-Up: Exercises like high knees, butt kicks, and leg swings to increase heart rate and muscle temperature.
    • Mobility Drills: Movements such as hip circles, arm swings, and ankle rolls to improve joint flexibility.
    • Activation Exercises: Activities like glute bridges, planks, and shoulder taps to engage key muscle groups.
    • Fundamental Movement Skills: Incorporating skills like jumping, hopping, and skipping to develop coordination and balance.
    • Sport-Specific Drills: Tailored exercises that mimic movements specific to the sport or activity being prepared for.

These exercises collectively aim to improve movement quality, reduce injury risk, and build confidence in various physical activities.

  • Achievement and impact:
    • Children become better movers and better athletes
    • Children strengthen their bodies through increased participation in physical activity
    • Children prepare their muscles for immediate activity and develop the skills and confidence to safely participate in unfamiliar activities
    • Children acquire the skills, confidence and motivation to overcome challenges.
  • Link to the PDF designed version
  • More about the programme

Elements of the Moving for Health framework that were activated

Generic principles Sport specific principles
Tailored approaches: the interventions are relevant and effective by addressing specific needs and motivations Holistic health promotion: enhancing health enhancing behaviours into the club’s culture, fostering a sense of wellness and belonging.
Professionals as Drivers of Change: competent professionals are crucial for guiding individuals , sport participants , making them key agents of change Inclusivity: promoting equity and broader participation , ensuring that everyone can benefit, enhancing social cohesion and community engagement
Empowerment and Awareness: guiding confidence and capability, enabling all individuals to take control of their health while remaining proactive , adapting to new challenges over time Collaboration and Partnerships: collaboration brings additional expertise and resources, making programmes more impactful and extending their richness.

Key learnings: tips and tricks to facilitate the transfer:

  • A tailored warm-up based on the idea of physical literacy can improve skills and prevent injuries

[Step 4] Resources to go further & Homework

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"Project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them."