Matching Activities to Personal Style (MAPS): Developing a physical activity guidance system for high school students
Project Summary A series of investigations was designed to create building blocks for a process of guiding physical activity choices among high school students and young adults based on psychosocial information and experiential processes. The initial studies explored patterns of physical activity (PA) interests and motivations over the lifespan, as well as their relationships with…
Survey on participation in amateur soccer in Canada
Project abstract In general, sport is seen as a powerful contributor to social and personal development (Sport Canada, 2002). The benefits of physical activity and sport have been the subject of numerous studies (Gendron et al., 2005; Parfitt & Eston, 2005). Nonetheless, the number of young North Americans who play sports has been decreasing for…
Corporatizing sport for aboriginal girls: Connecting corporate social responsibility, the ‘Girl Effect’ and aboriginal-focused sport, gender and development programs
Project Summary This study explored how urban Aboriginal young women understand and experience their participation in a sport for development (SFD) program administered by the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Society Centre (VAFCS); and investigated how corporate funding and involvement in the VAFCS SFD program impacted targeted beneficiaries. The three specific objectives of the research were: To…
Promoting sports participation: Exploring physical activity patterns and role models of aging amongst older persons
Project Summary Sport involvement in Canada drops precipitously as we age. Recent Canadian data indicate that participation rates are highest in young Canadians, with 54% between the ages of 15 and 19 taking part in sporting activity. By age 55, however, only 17% of individuals are engaging in sport (Statistics Canada, 2013). Participation rates in…
The (re)making of the Hobbema Community Cadet Corps Program
Project Summary In 2005, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) helped launch a unique afterschool program among the four Cree Nations of Maskwacis (formerly Hobbema), Alberta. The program, known as the Hobbema Community Cadet Corps Program (HCCCP), was widely celebrated among politicians, segments of the community, and especially in the mainstream media as an effective…
Exploring social support, sport participation, and rural women’s health using Photovoice
Project Summary Research Objectives: Conclusions: See Results Research methods Study participants used the photovoice method which includes picture taking with cameras, recording in log books, and group interviews. Participants first participated in a Research Orientation session, then took relevant photos and recorded in logbooks for two weeks, following which the log books were retrieved and…
Aging in the information age: An ethnographic study of video gaming in Canadian retirement centres
Project Summary This research explored the use of sport-based video games (or ‘exergames’) in activity programs for older persons. In recent years, games like ‘Wii Bowling’ for the Nintendo Wii gaming system have become popular in seniors’ centres in Canada, among other countries. The objectives for this research were as follows: The main conclusions arising…
The role of LGBT-focused sport group involvement in reducing minority stress
Project Summary OBJECTIVES Sexual minority identity (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans; LGBT) is largely stigmatized and stigmatization has been linked to detrimental mental and physical health outcomes. Sexual minority individuals are often motivated to conceal their identities to protect themselves from rejection but this concealment comes with the costs of anxiety about disclosure and preoccupation…
Getting the ball rolling: Sport and leisure time physical activity promotion among individuals with acquired physical disabilities
Project Summary Despite the physical and psychosocial benefits on engaging in sport as a form of leisure time physical activity (LTPA), only 3% of individuals with acquired physical disabilities participate in sport. This project was composed of four studies that the theoretical and contextual factors that influence sport participation in this population. The first study…
Retaining experience coaches
Project Summary Understanding the factors that influence coach transitions is pertinent. Six themes were identified: 1) interpersonal considerations, 2) work demands, 3) career concerns, 4) positive coaching experiences, 5) seeking opportunities to be more successful and 6) leaving a negative or challenging work environment. Findings highlight the importance of practitioners and sports organizations providing support…