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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Sport as a Vehicle for Health Promotion (and More)

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The aim of this chapter is to discuss the theoretical grounds and different forms of activities for sports settings to promote health and social issues. In particular, the chapter describes five models of settings-based health promotion (of increasing sophistication and effectiveness) through which these issues can be addressed in sports settings: Passive—described as the most ‘traditional’ model, in which a parcular setting is used by outside expert to “only” reach people. Active—in which there is still focus on the individual, but the significance of the setting is at least acknowledged and the immediate resources of the setting are used to promote the individual’s health. Vehicle—remains focusing on individual health, but also recognizes contextual factors, and health promotion programmes aimed at individuals are seen as vehicles through which health-promoting change can be achieved in the setting. Organic—in which the focus shifts to pursue the health of individuals and communities through the development of the setting. Comprehensive—the ‘ideal model of health promotion’ (and also the most demanding and least frequently achieved) which acknowledges the relative powerlessness of individuals to effect significant changes in health issues and integrates health and social issues into the existing structures and operations, as well as future developments, of the setting.