Conference Agenda
Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).
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GR2_3_1: Symposium: The powerful role of sport: process, outcomes and impacts of physical activity and health promotion in organised sports clubs
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The powerful role of sport: process, outcomes and impacts of physical activity and health promotion in organised sports clubs Background and aim of the symposium Sports clubs have recently been recognised as health promoting settings but are still underexploited in terms of their potential to promote health. A recent literature review has demonstrated limited evidence due to the lack of health promotion interventions and activities in this setting, even if practice-based programs exist. Summary of Contributions The present symposium offers insights on different health promotion interventions and activities across 4 countries (Denmark, The Netherlands, Ireland, Australia) on how the sports clubs setting can impact sports participants, including vulnerable groups, as well as describe their implementation process. Participants will learn about 1) a participatory system approach to build and assess the capacity of Danish professional soccer clubs to promote health among men ; 2) how Dutch sports club coaches perceive and act to promote health among their participants, 3) the impact of a soccer centred walking initiative on elderly health in Ireland, 4) the impact of a community walking initiative from Irish sports clubs on health and well-being outcomes, 5) how a nature walking programme affect elderly women in Australia. Added Value This will close the gap of understanding what physical activity or health promoting activities in the sports settings are, as well as why, how and who they impact. We will compare across sports practices, countries and type of interventions/activities. Conclusion and Key Take-Home Messages Understanding physical activity and health promotion intervention processes, outcomes and impacts is key to growing the evidence base of the powerful role of sports clubs setting and enhancing its intersectoral recognition as key to contributing to community and individual health. Presentations of the Symposium Building and Assessing Health Promotion Capacity for Men’s Health in Danish Professional Football Clubs: Outcomes and Processes from a Participatory Systems Approach Introduction Men experience a disproportionate burden of cardiometabolic diseases. Professional football clubs (PFCs) represent male-dominated settings with the potential to engage men in health promotion. Little is known about how PFCs develop capacity to sustain these initiatives. This study explores the acceptability of an adapted Group Model Building (GMB) process and its contribution to build health promotion capacity (HPC) in PFCs and municipalities in Denmark. Methods The study was part of the Men’s Health Program and employed a qualitative, multi-method design involving two PFCs and municipalities. Acceptability of the GMB process was explored using observations (n=8) and semi-structured interviews with PFCs and municipality representatives (n=6). Changes in HPC were examined using semi-structured interviews with coordinators, leaders, and directors from PFCs and municipalities at baseline (n=10) and 18-month follow-up (n=8). Acceptability and HPC were analyzed abductively using Sekhon et al.’s (2012) acceptability framework and Kania et al.’s (2018) six conditions for systems change. Results The participatory systems approach was perceived as acceptable and meaningful, particularly in supporting shared problem framing, cross-sector collaboration, and local ownership in the development of health promotion initiatives. Time constraints and tensions between participatory systems approach and commercial PFC contexts challenged feasibility. Differences in HPC development were identified between the two PFCs, with employee capacity and fan base being imperative factors for strategic integration and organizational embedding. Conclusions Participatory systems approaches show potential to support PFCs in building HPC. However, sustained impact requires alignment with organizational structures, resources, and long-term cross-sector collaborations. Funding Source Funded by StenoDK. Health promotion by sport club coaches in The Netherlands: perceptions, roles and practices Background: Coaches within sport clubs can play a central role in health promotion. However, little is known about their perceptions of this role and the extent to which and how they contribute to health promotion of sport participants. Methods: An online questionnaire was conducted among Dutch sport club coaches (n = 184) to examine their perceived role in promoting the health of sport participants, and the extent to and ways in which they address health promotion. Analyses consisted of descriptive statistics. Results: Slightly more than half of the coaches felt highly responsible for the health of sport participants. The majority regularly paid attention during training to health-related topics such as injury prevention (e.g. warming-up), mental health (e.g. paying personal attention), and social health (e.g. stimulating respectful behaviour). Topics related to healthy nutrition, alcohol use, and smoking were addressed less frequently and mainly when problems arose or when sport participants explicitly asked for advice. Conclusions: Dutch sport club coaches already contribute to health promotion, particularly in relation to injury prevention, mental, and social health. However, lifestyle-related topics such as nutrition, alcohol use, and smoking receive limited attention. This indicates a need for additional support in practice, such as training and practical guidance for coaches. At the policy level, clearer frameworks, expectations, and funding for coach education could help integrate health promotion more structurally within sport clubs. Funding source: This study was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Walking to the whistle: The impact of a football centred walking initiative for older adults Purpose: The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) implement a health promotion initiative known as ‘More than a club’ (MTC). Walking football (WF) for older adults consists of a weekly 60-minute football session and a social gathering afterwards. This study assess the perceived impacts of participation on the physical, psychological and social-wellbeing outcomes for participants. Methods: This mixed-methods study included a quantitative written survey targeting WF participants in league of Ireland (LOI) clubs (n=59). The survey addressed, attitude/level of PA in participants, perceived health benefits of WF and the community value of the programme. Qualitative interviews included speaking with participants individually (n=13), a focus group (n=10) and facilitators (n=2). Observations also took place at weekly sessions and a national tournament (n=4). The interviews and observations were guided by the REAIM implementation science framework. Results: The majority of participants (93.1%) believed that WF has improved their health, while 61.4% reported a decrease in physical health problems. Over two thirds believed that WF reduced their feelings of loneliness, anxiousness and depression. Regular attendance at WF (96.5%) was a key component to the programme’s effectiveness and sustainability. Similarly, the qualitative data identified, strong perceived impacts on health and well-being outcomes along with, increased sense of belonging, social connection and reduced loneliness. Conclusion: A positive perceived impacts of WF on biopsychosocial outcomes for participants. Further research should investigate the success factors of implementation and scalability across Ireland. Support: Funded by the Football Association of Ireland, Healthy Ireland and SETU MSc Co-fund Scholarship programme. On Track for Health: Evaluating Participant Health and Wellbeing Impacts of Ireland Lights Up Purpose: Community-based PA interventions delivered through existing settings, such as sports clubs, offer pathways to increase PA levels and enhance population health. Ireland Lights Up (ILU) is a national initiative that leverages sports clubs to deliver structured group walking sessions, connecting participants with outdoor spaces. Despite operating at scale, evidence on ILU's long-term effectiveness remains limited, representing a gap in understanding the impact of such initiatives for NCD prevention. Methods: This mixed-methods study evaluates the effectiveness of ILU in improving health and wellbeing outcomes among participants over a 12-month period. Data collection through surveys (n=280) and semi-structured interviews (n=30) occurred at baseline, post-intervention, 6 and 12 months, allowing investigation of sustained impact. Quantitative measures assessed changes in PA levels, health indicators, and wellbeing scores, while qualitative data explored participants' attitudes towards participation. Results: Preliminary findings suggest important themes such increased social connection, motivation and accountability through group participation, and perceived safety of club walking tracks. Quantitative analysis will examine changes in PA levels, health indicators, and wellbeing scores across the four time points to assess long-term effectiveness of the initiative. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate how sports clubs can serve as accessible infrastructure for PA promotion, integrating outdoor activity into daily routines and promoting sustainable PA habits for NCD prevention. By examining effectiveness over 12 months, this study provides valuable insights for those seeking evidence-based approaches to enhance PA for health through community-led initiatives. Funding Source: Supported by a South East Technological University (SETU) PhD Scholarship Award (Project ID WD_2023_34_WSCH). Side-By-Side Nature Walks, designing a bushwalking program for women 55+ years Purpose Walking in nature has physical and mental health benefits; yet some women aged 55+ can face barriers to walking in bush areas alone (e.g. not knowing where to go and fear of safety), and barriers to joining a bushwalking club (e.g. not confident to complete a walk). Some bushwalking clubs in Victoria, Australia are however wanting to increase participation in this age group. A collaboration between Outdoors Victoria, local government, La Trobe University and Escaping Your Comfort Zone, Side-by-Side Nature Walks is a program creating an opportunity and pathway for women 55+ to join bushwalking clubs. Methods A developmental evaluation was conducted to support program development. The evaluator became part of the development team and part of the participant group, conducting participant observations and interviews with participants, program leaders, and program developers to provide real-time feedback and support the testing of ideas and initiatives. Results A program model that supports women to overcome barriers has been developed. Participation outcomes include an increase in physical activity and improved social connection. Other benefits include the activation of spaces, reduced isolation, and supporting women as they face transition (such as coming out of the workforce or moving to a new area). Conclusion The research provides an insight into the development of physical activity interventions targeting women 55+. It offers practical implications for the design and delivery of program models aimed at increasing club participation. Support/Funding Source | ||
