This collective volume contributes to a growing debate concerning the extent to which we are now living in a global society shaped by sport in addition to economy, technology and so on. It covers 36 countries from five continents, analyzed by 87 contributors, so it offers a large comparative study. It is also a data bank of national information resources for students, researchers, policy-makers, sports leaders and managers. By means of a standard framework used in all chapters, the collected data from national cases on history, management and culture of sport provide interpretations of marketing, sponsorship, finance, target groups, settings for activities, strategy of promotion and social changes as related to Sport for All. This cross-national approach seeks to offer adequate meaning to the practices of each country, stimulating further research on specific themes of physical activities for health and leisure, either in affluent or poor social conditions. The concluding chapter lays the groundwork of Sport for All.

"In Worldwide Trends in Youth Sport, you'll find international perspectives on the structures, initiatives, trends, and dynamics of youth sport for ages 6 through 18." "Written and edited by noted researchers from around the globe, this reference is a collaborative effort of the Sport and Leisure Committee of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education. The book explores and compares youth sport in 20 countries with very different histories, socioeconomic contexts, political structures, and stages of development." "For each country, you'll learn about the organizational network of youth sport, the level of youth participation, dropout issues, problems in youth sport, youth sport promotional campaigns, and the future of youth sport."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Key Themes in Youth Sport is a concise, easy to read reference-style guide to the core concepts in the study of young people’s relationship with sport, exercise and leisure. Designed to help students get to grips with the basics and go on to master the central ideas and debates in contemporary youth sport, this book reflects the multi-disciplinary interest in youth sport, exploring perspectives from Sociology, Psychology, Physiology, Sports Policy, Sports Development, and Physical Education.

The Routledge Handbook of Youth Sport is a comprehensive survey of the latest research into young people’s involvement in sport. Drawing on a wide diversity of disciplines, including sociology, psychology, policy studies, coaching, physical education and physiology, the book examines the importance of sport during a key transitional period of our lives, from the later teenage years into the early twenties, and therefore helps us develop a better understanding of the social construction of young people’s lives. The book covers youth sport in all its forms, from competitive game-contests and conventional sport to recreational activities, exercise and lifestyle sport, and at all levels, from elite competition to leisure time activities and school physical education. It explores youth sport across the world, in developing and developed countries, and touches on some of the most significant themes and issues in contemporary sport studies, including physical activity and health, lifelong participation, talent identification and development, and safeguarding and abuse. No other book brings together in one place such a breadth and depth of material on youth sport or the engagement of young people in physical activity. The Routledge Handbook of Youth Sport is therefore important reading for all advanced students, researchers, practitioners and policy-makers with an interest in youth sport, youth culture, sport studies or physical education.

This book is a core text for physical education courses. It deals with enduring themes and contemporary issues in primary and secondary physical education.

This unique and comprehensive collection brings together material from leading German scholars to examine the role of sport and PE in Germany from a range of historical and contemporary perspectives.

This provocative critique of the youth sports movement examines the various issues surrounding children in sports and provides a plan for reform based on a change in philosophy and practice. Many American children spend more than 20 hours a week in organized sports, forgoing free time and unstructured recreational activities for the rigors of training and competition. This book offers a comprehensive critique of the youth sports movement, pitting the reality of adult-run sports programs against the needs and interests of children. It examines whether the tradeoff of "normal play time" for structured sports activities teaches discipline and leads to stronger character development, or if the pressures of the game, the physical strain of practicing, and the general overscheduling of children's lives have eroded the benefits associated with playing sports. Educator and former coach Steven J. Overman contends that youth-based sports programs require a radical change for the well-being of the young participants. The book explores the various problems in organized sports, including stress on the family, physical health hazards, violence, emotional duress, elitism, and hyper-competitiveness. Incorporating the perspectives of coaches, athletes, parents, physicians, and social scientists, the narrative scrutinizes the role of adults as promoters and coaches and concludes with a discussion of current and needed reforms.

Participation in sports is a major feature of daily living for children and adolescents in many countries of the world. Structures of organized programs vary within and among countries. Likewise, sport offerings and values attached to these sports vary with cultural context. Sport is also a primary source of physical activity for many children and adolescents, and is an arena in which personal and inter-personal values and behaviors are developed and nurtured. Key players in these important functions of sport are peers, coaches and parents. The volume is aimed primarily for students of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, coaches, trainers, parents and others involved in youth sport programs and in the preparation of young athletes . The content s have application to a variety of cultural contexts given the near universality of sport for youth throughout the world. The editors hope that the contributions which comprise this volume will serve to enhance the sport experiences of youth, minimize potential risks , and maximize potential benefits by educating adults who work with them in the context of sport. Robert M Malina This book addresses relevant issues within the scope of organized sports. Chapters are written by distinguished contributors with a comprehensive list of topics that under the coordination, the leadership and expertise of the editors, provided the scientific literature with an unique and in depth analysis of social, biological, cultural and related interactions. This book is published by the renowned University of Coimbra. The same University that only a short time ago began to offer a course in Physical Education and Sport under the intellectual and scientific leadership of Francisco Sobral Leal. His work in Portugal is both unique and pioneering. Here he has been able to be influential. This book, due to its quality and the nature of its topics, is thus a fine tribute to his work and culture of interaction. A tribute of science in the name of knowledge. Luis Bettencourt Sardinha

Social Issues in Sport, Fourth Edition, explores common questions and issues about sport and its relation to society through various sociological and cultural lenses. The text is grounded in practical application and provides social theories through which students may examine real-world issues

The 4th edition of the Oxford Textbook of Children's Sport and Exercise Medicine is the definitive single-volume reference in the field presented in four sections Exercise Science; Exercise Medicine; Sport Science; and Sport Medicine.