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Building a physically active and talent rich culture: an educationally sound approach

Collins, Dave; Martindale, Russell J J; Button, Angela; Sowerby, Katie

Authors

Dave Collins

Angela Button

Katie Sowerby



Abstract

Physical education and sport are often critically evaluated for the potential impact they can have on the development of children, both from the perspective of health and the development of sporting talent. Reflecting these two important goals, this paper presents an evaluation of the efficacy of an evidence-based, educational and inclusive approach to the promotion of lifelong physical activity and development of talent in children. A two-year pilot programme (n = 1060, mixed gender) was delivered through formal lessons and extracurricular activity clubs within the Scottish Education System utilizing an integrated package of physical and mental skills development. A triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data, collected through a range of interviews and the Young Peoples’ Physical Activity Questionnaire and Young People’s Perception Questionnaire, provided evidence for the efficacy of such an approach in short-term promotion of present activity levels and longer term changes in the key attitudes required for success (e.g. perceived competence, self-determination and self-motivation). Significant improvements in participation levels, self-determination, perceived competence and self-motivation were found, supporting the qualitative results relating to the positive impact of the programme. The impact of such a philosophy and programme on child development, teacher education, initiative coherence, physical activity and talent development are discussed.

Citation

Collins, D., Martindale, R. J. J., Button, A., & Sowerby, K. (2010). Building a physically active and talent rich culture: an educationally sound approach. European Physical Education Review, 16, 7-28. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X10369196

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2010
Deposit Date May 3, 2012
Print ISSN 1356-336X
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
Pages 7-28
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X10369196
Keywords health promotion; sport participation; talent development;
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/5255
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1356336X10369196