Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

LIVE: Thursday 2nd May 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

Quality sleep is essential for health. But what happens to our brains when sleep patterns are disturbed? Join our experts to explore the interplay between sleep disruption and neurological diseases, and the questions that you need to be asking your patients to help you prevent the harmful effects of sleep deprivation.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

Sport-based youth development interventions in the United States: a systematic review

Authors: Meredith A. Whitley, William V. Massey, Martin Camiré, Mish Boutet, Amanda Borbee

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The growing number of sport-based youth development interventions provide a potential avenue for integrating sport meaningfully into the U.S. public health agenda. However, efficacy and quality must be reliably established prior to widespread implementation.

Methods

A comprehensive search of databases, peer-reviewed journals, published reviews, and both published and unpublished documents yielded 10,077 distinct records. Title and abstract screening, followed by full-text screening using 6 criteria, resulted in 56 distinct studies (coalescing into 10 sport-based youth development intervention types) included in the synthesis. These studies were then independently assessed and critically appraised.

Results

Limited efficacy data were identified, with the quality of methods and evidence largely classified as weak. Processes likely to contribute to the outcomes of sport-based youth development interventions were identified (e.g., predictors of ongoing engagement, alignment between target population and intervention, intervention design), although more rigorous research is needed on these and other processes. Physical health outcomes were only studied in 3 of the 10 intervention types.

Conclusions

The evidence base does not yet warrant wide-scale implementation of sport-based youth development interventions for public health goals within the U. S., although there is promising research that identifies areas for further exploration.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Trost SG, Blair SN, Khan KM. Physical inactivity remains the greatest public health problem of the 21st century: evidence, improved methods and solutions using the ‘7 investments that work’ as a framework. Br J Sports Med. 2014;48(3):169–70.PubMedCrossRef
2.
Hallal PC, Andersen LB, Bull FC, Guthold R, Haskell W, Ekelund U. Global physical activity levels: surveillance progress, pitfalls, and prospects. Lancet. 2012;380(9838):247–57.PubMedCrossRef
3.
Skinner AC, Perrin EM, Skelton JA. Prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in US children, 1999-2014. Obesity. 2016;24(5):1116–23.PubMedCrossRef
4.
5.
Berg BK, Warner S, Das BM. What about sport? A public health perspective on leisure-time physical activity. Sport Manage Rev. 2015;18(1):20–31.CrossRef
6.
Michelini E, Thiel A. The acceptance of “sport” in the communication of the health system. A sociological analysis. Eur J Sport Soc. 2013;10(4):325–44.
7.
Waddington I. Sport and health: a sociological perspective. In: Coakley J, Dunning E, editors. Handbook of sports studies. London: Sage; 2000. p. 408–21.
8.
Leek D, Carlson JA, Cain KL, et al. Physical activity during youth sports practices. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2011;165(4):294–9.PubMedCrossRef
9.
Côté J, Hancock DJ. Evidence-based policies for youth sport programmes. Int J Sport Policy Pol. 2016;8(1):51–65.CrossRef
10.
Ferreira I, van der Horst K, Wendel-Vos W, Kremers S, van Lenthe FJ, Brug J. Environmental correlates of physical activity in youth - a review and update. Obes Rev. 2007;8(2):129–54.PubMedCrossRef
11.
Pabayo R, Molnar BE, Cradock A, Kawachi I. The relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics and physical inactivity among adolescents living in Boston, Massachusetts. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(11):e142–9.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
12.
Petitpas AJ, Cornelius AE, Raalte JLV, Jones T. A framework for planning youth sport programs that foster psychosocial development. Sport Psychol. 2005;19(1):63–80.CrossRef
13.
Bailey R. Physical education and sport in schools: a review of benefits and outcomes. J Sch Health. 2006;76(8):397–401.PubMedCrossRef
14.
Pittman KJ, Irby M, Tolman J, Yohalem N, Ferber T. Preventing problems, promoting development, encouraging engagement: competing priorities or inseparable goals? Washington, DC: The Forum for Youth Investment, Impact Strategies, Inc.; 2003.
15.
Benson PL. All kids are our kids: what communities must do to raise caring and responsible children and adolescents. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2006.
16.
17.
Coalter F. Sport for development: what game are we playing? London: Routledge; 2013.CrossRef
18.
Massey WV, Whitley MA. SDP and research methods. In: Darnell S, Giulianotti R, Howe D, Collison H, editors. Routledge handbook on sport for development. London: Routledge; 2019. p. 175–84.
19.
Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med. 2009;6(7):e1000097.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
20.
21.
Coalter F. The politics of sport-for-development: limited focus programmes and broad gauge problems? Int Rev Sociol Sport. 2010;45(3):295–314.CrossRef
22.
Schulenkorf N, Sherry E, Rowe K. Sport for development: an integrated literature review. J Sport Manage. 2016;30(1):22–39.CrossRef
23.
Thomas BH, Ciliska D, Dobbins M, Micucci S. A process for systematically reviewing the literature: providing the research evidence for public health nursing interventions. Worldviews Evid-Based Nurs. 2004;1(3):176–84.PubMedCrossRef
24.
Frost J, Garside R, Cooper C, Britten N. Meta-study as diagnostic: toward content over form in qualitative synthesis. Qual Health Res. 2016;26(3):307–19.PubMedCrossRef
25.
McDavid L, McDonough MH, Blankenship BT, LeBreton JM. A test of basic psychological needs theory in a physical-activity-based program for underserved youth. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2017;39(1):29–42.PubMedCrossRef
26.
Anderson-Butcher D, Iachini A, Riley A, Wade-Mdivanian R, Davis J, Amorose AJ. Exploring the impact of a summer sport-based youth development program. Eval Program Plann. 2013;37:64–9.PubMedCrossRef
27.
Riciputi S, McDonough MH, Ullrich-French S. Participant perceptions of character concepts in a physical activity-based positive youth development program. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2016;38(5):481–92.PubMedCrossRef
28.
Ullrich-French S, McDonough M. Correlates of long-term participation in a physical activity-based positive youth development program for low-income youth: sustained involvement and psychosocial outcomes. J Adolesc. 2013;36(2):279–88.PubMedCrossRef
29.
Newton M, Watson DL, Gano-Overway L, Fry M, Kim M-S, Magyar M. The role of a caring-based intervention in a physical activity setting. Urban Rev. 2007;39(3):281–99.CrossRef
30.
Gano-Overway LA, Newton M, Magyar TM, Fry MD, Kim MS, Guivernau MR. Influence of caring youth sport contexts on efficacy-related beliefs and social behaviors. Dev Psych. 2009;45(2):329–40.CrossRef
31.
Riley A, Anderson-Butcher D, Logan J, Newman TJ, Davis J. Staff practices and social skill outcomes in a sport-based youth program. J Appl Sport Psychol. 2017;29(1):59–74.CrossRef
32.
Ullrich-French S, McDonough MH, Smith AL. Social connection and psychological outcomes in a physical activity-based youth development setting. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2012;83(3):431–41.PubMedCrossRef
33.
Anderson-Butcher D, Riley A, Amorose A, Iachini A, Wade-Mdivanian R. Maximizing youth experiences in community sport settings: the design and impact of the LiFE sports camp. J Sport Manage. 2014;28(2):236–49.CrossRef
34.
Miller SC. A program to promote the sociomoral growth of at-risk youth (doctoral dissertation; order no. 9827042) available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (304344644). Berkeley, University of California at Berkeley; 1997.
35.
Whitley MA, Massey WV. Farrell K. a programme evaluation of ‘exploring our strengths and our future’: making sport relevant to the educational, social, and emotional needs of youth. J Sport Dev. 2017;5(9):21–35.
36.
Hayden LA, Baltzell A, Kilty K, McCarthy J. Developing responsibility using physical activity: a case study of team support. Ágora Phys Educ Sport. 2012;14(2):264–81.
37.
Melendez A, Martinek T. Life after project effort: applying values acquired in a responsibility-based physical activity program. Revista Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte. 2015;11(41):259–80.
38.
Walsh DS, Ozaeta J, Wright PM. Transference of responsibility model goals to the school environment: exploring the impact of a coaching club program. Phys Educ Sport Pedagogy. 2010;15(1):15–28.CrossRef
39.
Walsh DS, Veri MJ, Scobie D. Impact of the kinesiology career Club: a TPSR-based possible futures program for youth in underserved communities. Ágora Phys Educ Sport. 2012;14(2):213–29.
40.
Walsh DS, Veri MJ, Willard JJ. Kinesiology career Club: undergraduate student mentors’ perspectives on a physical activity-based teaching personal and social responsibility program. Phys Educ. 2015;72(2):317–39.
41.
Wright PM, Burton S. Implementation and outcomes of a responsibility-based physical activity program integrated into an intact high school physical education class. J Teach Phys Educ. 2008;27(2):138–54.CrossRef
42.
Wright PM, Dyson B, Moten T. Exploring the individualized experiences of participants in a responsibility-based youth development program. Ágora Phys Educ Sport. 2012;14(2):248–63.
43.
Cryan M, Martinek T. Youth sport development through soccer: an evaluation of an after-school program using the TPSR model. Phys Educ. 2017;74(1):127–49.
44.
Jacobs JM. What is learned and does it transfer? A survey of physical education students’ perceptions on transfer of life skills (doctoral dissertation). DeKalb: Northern Illinois University; 2016.
45.
Wright PM, Li W, Ding S, Pickering M. Integrating a personal and social responsibility program into a wellness course for urban high school students: assessing implementation and educational outcomes. Sport Educ Soc. 2010;15(3):277–98.CrossRef
46.
Pettee Gabriel KK, DeBate RD, High RR, Racine EF. Girls on the run: a quasi-experimental evaluation of a developmentally focused youth sport program. J Phys Act Health. 2011;8(Suppl 2):S285–94.PubMedCrossRef
47.
DeBate RD, Pettee Gabriel K, Zwald M, Huberty J, Zhang Y. Changes in psychosocial factors and physical activity frequency among third- to eighth-grade girls who participated in a developmentally focused youth sport program: a preliminary study. J Sch Health. 2009;79(10):474–84.PubMedCrossRef
48.
Waldron JJ. Influence of involvement in the girls on track program on early adolescent girls’ self-perceptions. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2007;78(5):520–30.PubMedCrossRef
49.
Beyler N, Bleeker M, James-Burdumy A, et al. Findings from an experimental evaluation of Playworks: effects on play, physical activity and recess. Report submitted to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Princeton: Mathematica Policy Research; 2013.
50.
Fortson J, James-Burdumy S, Bleeker M, et al. Impact and implementation findings from an experimental evaluation of Playworks: effects on school climate, academic learning, student social skills and behavior. Report submitted to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Princeton: Mathematica Policy Research; 2013.
51.
London RA, Castrechini S, Stokes-Guinan K. Playworks implementation in 17 schools nationwide. Report submitted to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Princeton: Mathematica Policy Research; 2013.
52.
53.
London RA, Westrich L, Stokes-Guinan K, McLaughlin M. Playing fair: the contribution of high-functioning recess to overall school climate in low-income elementary schools. J Sch Health. 2015;85(1):53–60.PubMedCrossRef
54.
Massey WV, Stellino MB, Wilkison M, Whitley M. The impact of a recess-based leadership program on urban elementary school students. J Appl Sport Psychol. 2018;30(1):45–63.CrossRef
55.
Massey WV, Stellino MB, Holliday M, et al. The impact of a multi-component physical activity programme in low-income elementary schools. Health Educ J. 2017;76(5):517–30.CrossRef
56.
Weiss MR, Stuntz CP, Bhalla JA, Bolter ND, Price MS. ‘More than a game’: impact of the first tee life skills programme on positive youth development: project introduction and year 1 findings. Qual Res Sport Exer Health. 2013;5(2):214–44.CrossRef
57.
Weiss MR, Bolter ND, Kipp LE. Evaluation of the first tee in promoting positive youth development: group comparisons and longitudinal trends. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2016;87(3):271–83.PubMedCrossRef
58.
Brunelle J, Danish SJ, Forneris T. The impact of a sport-based life skill program on adolescent prosocial values. Appl Dev Sci. 2007;11(1):43–55.CrossRef
59.
60.
Marvul JN. If you build it, they will come: a successful truancy intervention program in a small high school. Urban Educ. 2012;47(1):144–69.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Sport-based youth development interventions in the United States: a systematic review
Authors
Meredith A. Whitley
William V. Massey
Martin Camiré
Mish Boutet
Amanda Borbee
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6387-z

Other articles of this Issue 1/2019

BMC Public Health 1/2019 Go to the issue

Research article

Epidemic characteristics and related risk factors of occupational exposure for pediatric health care workers in Chinese public hospitals: a cross-sectional study

Research article

Differences in work injury risk between immigrants and natives: changes since the economic recession in Italy

Research article

Survival analysis of time to cure on multi-drug resistance tuberculosis patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia

Research article

Acceptability and potential impact of delivering sexual health promotion information through social media and dating apps to MSM in England: a qualitative study

Research article

Burden of disease from Helicobacter pylori infection in western Canadian Arctic communities

Research article

Anemia and health-related quality of life in South Korea: data from the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey 2008–2016