A mixed-method analysis of the contribution of informal sport to public health in Australia.

Informal sport is a growth area of sport participation but there has been limited examination of how informal and unstructured forms of participation may contribute to health outcomes that are important for public health. This article aims to address the current lack of data examining the health outcomes associated with informal sport participation and consider the potential role of informal sport within efforts to promote healthier communities through sport. The article seeks to broaden understanding of how informal sport participation can contribute to health outcomes, particularly with regard to increasing physical activity and enhancing mental health and social connection.

Trauma-Informed Practice in Physical Activity Programs for Young People: A Systematic Review.

Physical activity, sport, and physical education share many similar qualities with trauma-informed practice, including promoting relationships, inclusion, and physical and mental well-being. There is growing research and programs that incorporate trauma-informed practices into physical activity programs for young people. The aim of this systematic review was to explore current evidence-based, Trauma-Informed Physical Activity programs for young people.

Identifying Ageism Within Australian Local Government Physical Activity Policy: A Critical Discourse Analysis.

This research aims to identify ageist content concerning older adults within local government physical activity policy. Policies are not passive texts; they can comprise hidden or disputed connotations. To identify ageism, the study utilizes a critical discourse analysis approach to analyze physical activity policy documents (n = 61) from 16 local government areas in Victoria, Australia, and the perceptions of local government employees trusted with developing these policies, which were gathered during semistructured interviews (n = 11).

The Relationship Between Weight Stigmatization, Avoidance, Enjoyment and Participation in Physical Activity and Sport, and Psychological Distress.

The psychosocial factors affecting physical activity (PA) and sport participation are not well understood but need to be to gain the psychological benefits of PA and sport. In this study, we sought to establish the relationship between weight stigmatization, the tendency to avoid, or participate in and/or enjoy PA and sport, and psychological distress. We collected demographic details and measures of the constructs of interest from 578 undergraduate students via an online survey.

Effectiveness of an educational intervention targeting homophobic language use by young male athletes: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Homophobic language is common in male sport and associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes for all sport participants, but particularly for gay or bisexual youth populations. Evidence-based interventions are needed to reduce such language and mitigate harm. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a short social-cognitive educational intervention delivered by professional rugby union players in youth sport.

Weight Stigma and Avoidance of Physical Activity and Sport: Development of a Scale and Establishment of Correlates.

Participation in sport and physical activity (PA) is declining, and the psychosocial factors underpinning avoidance of these activities are not understood. This study developed and tested a new measure assessing the tendency to avoid PA and sport because of weight stigma and appearance-related concerns. University students (n = 581, mean age = 19.

Examining Pride Cups as a health promotion resource to address homophobia in Australian men's sport.

Effective interventions are needed to stop homophobic behaviours in sport settings as these behaviours are associated with negative health and social outcomes for individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or other diverse genders and sexualities. This paper reports the results of a quasi-experimental study commissioned by a public health agency to explore the benefits of a novel intervention that has been widely adopted by Australian community sport clubs. The 'Pride Cup' intervention includes education for club leaders, sport participants and the hosting of a rainbow-themed 'pride game'.

Identifying strategies for facilitating physical activity among older adults: A behaviour change wheel 'retrofit' driven analysis of Victorian local government policy.

Issue Addressed: The significance of physical activity (PA) for the health and wellbeing of older adults is well documented. Local government (LG) publish PA policy and interventions to encourage and improve older adult PA participation. However, LG documents have rarely been studied to examine the extent to which LG incorporates evidence-based strategies into the development of older adult PA policy.

The Relationship between Weight Stigma, Physical Appearance Concerns, and Enjoyment and Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport.

Participation in physical activity and sport is on the decline and there is a poor understanding of the psychosocial factors that contribute to people's reluctance to participate. We examined whether there were relationships between factors such as weight stigma, weight bias internalization, appearance evaluation, and fears of negative appearance evaluations, and enjoyment and avoidance of physical activity and sport. Undergraduate students ( = 579) completed a survey assessing demographics, and the variables described above.

Relationships between attitudes and norms with homophobic language use in male team sports.

Objectives: This study addresses a need for quantitative research examining factors supporting the frequent use of homophobic language (e.g., fag) in male team sports which has a range of negative health impacts on gay and bisexual males.

The Effect of a Food Addiction Explanation Model for Weight Control and Obesity on Weight Stigma.

There is increasing scientific and public support for the notion that some foods may be addictive, and that poor weight control and obesity may, for some people, stem from having a food addiction. However, it remains unclear how a food addiction model (FAM) explanation for obesity and weight control will affect weight stigma. In two experiments ( = 530 and = 690), we tested the effect of a food addiction explanation for obesity and weight control on weight stigma.

Participation-performance tension and gender affect recreational sports clubs' engagement with children and young people with diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Sport participation has been shown to be associated with health and social benefits. However, there are persisting inequities and barriers to sport participation that can prevent children and young people with diverse backgrounds and abilities from accessing these benefits. This mixed methods study investigated how diversity is understood, experienced and managed in junior sport.

Developing a theory-driven framework for a football intervention for men with severe, moderate or enduring mental health problems: a participatory realist synthesis.

Physical activity interventions are an important adjunct therapy for people with severe to moderate and/or enduring mental health problems. Football is particularly popular for men in this group. Several interventions have emerged over the past decade and there is a need to clearly articulate how they are intended to work, for whom and in what circumstances.