??Rethinking Sports Clubs for Children
Olli Tikkanen, PhD, CEO ??????
Measurement Tools for Sleep, Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity ?? | Podcast host ???
?I've had the honor of interviewing Dr. Johan H?gman, a senior lecturer in Sports Sciences at Karlstad University, on my podcast. His research provides valuable insights into how we can better engage children in physical activities.
?? Beyond Traditional Sports: A New Approach
Dr. H?gman explored recruitment initiatives aimed at getting more children involved in sports clubs. These initiatives, often conducted in collaboration with municipalities, sports districts, federations, and schools, typically modify conventional sports to appeal to new groups. However, a key finding from Dr. H?gman's research is the mismatch between the organizers' intentions and children's experiences. While the organizers often see these events as a simple introduction to sports clubs, many children view them as just more of the same competitive sports they've already been avoiding.
?? Practical Ways to Improve Engagement
Dr. H?gman suggests that to truly engage physically inactive children, sports clubs need to fundamentally change their core activities. They must offer more playful and non-competitive activities that appeal to children who aren't already sports enthusiasts. This approach requires a shift in how sports clubs perceive and organize physical activities, moving away from traditional sports and towards more inclusive and enjoyable forms for all children.
???? Fibion Devices in Research
In a new direction for his research, Dr. H?gman has incorporated device-based measurements of physical activity using Fibion devices. These devices help gather objective data on physical activity levels in children. The goal is to understand whether more alternative forms of physical activities, such as playful games or non-competitive exercises, can better engage physically inactive children compared to traditional sports.
领英推荐
?? A Future of Inclusive Physical Activities
Dr. H?gman's research points toward a future where physical activities in sports clubs and schools are more inclusive, catering to the interests and enjoyment of all children, not just those already inclined towards sports. His work highlights the need for a broader understanding of what constitutes physical activity and how we can foster an environment where every child feels welcomed and motivated to participate.
?? Discover More on the Podcast
To delve deeper into Dr. H?gman's research and perspectives on children's physical activity, listen to the full episode on the Physical Activity Researcher Podcast .
Join the Conversation
Share your thoughts on how we can make physical activities more inclusive for children. What are your experiences with sports clubs and physical education in schools? Let's learn from each other's insights and experiences.
Physical Activity Researcher Podcast is the source of the latest research findings on all things related to physical activity, exercise, and health. It has over 400 episodes with world-leading experts, so you will find many interesting episodes. Check out the podcast here: https://paresearcher.podbean.com/
Absolutely, Dr. H?gman! It brings to mind what Nelson Mandela once said, "Sport has the power to change the world...it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does." ?? Through playful and inclusive activities, sports clubs can indeed become a beacon of inspiration and unity for children of all backgrounds. By the way, speaking of uniting for a greater cause, Treegens is sponsoring a Guinness World Record attempt for Tree Planting ??. It could be a fantastic non-competitive, community-engaging activity for these clubs. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/TreeGuinnessWorldRecord