ParticipACTION: Baseline assessment of the capacity available to the 'New ParticipACTION': A qualitative study of Canadian organizations

Evaluation of the original ParticipACTION campaign effects focused on individual awareness, recall, and understanding. Less studied has been the impact such campaigns have had on the broader organizational capacity to mobilize and advocate for physical activity. With the relaunch of ParticipACTION, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore baseline organizational capacity to promote physical activity messages, programs, and services within the Canadian context. Using a purposeful sampling strategy, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 49 key informants representing a range of national, provincial, and local organizations with a mandate to promote physical activity. Interview data were analysed using a thematic analytic approach. Key informants painted a generally positive picture of current organizational capacity to promote physical activity messages, programs, and services in Canada. Will and leadership were clear strengths while infrastructure limitations remained the greatest concern. Some specific challenges included: 1) funding issues: the absence of core funding in a climate of shifting funding priorities; 2) the difficulty of working without a national physical activity policy (lack of leadership); 3) inconsistent provincial and educational sector level policies; and 4) a persistent focus on obesity rather than physical inactivity. The data generated here can be utilized to monitor the future impact of ParticipACTION on enhancing and utilizing this organizational capacity. A range of indicators are suggested that could be used to illustrate ParticipACTION's impact on the broad field of physical activity promotion in the future

A case study analysis of girls' physical activity in one educational setting

grantor: University of TorontoA feminist, qualitative methodology was utilized in this study of girls age 11 and 12 in one educational setting. A combination of semi-structured interviews and participant observations provided a detailed picture of the girls' physical activity experiences. Data analysis indicated that the educational setting is an institution that reinforces patterns of male dominance through the "hidden curriculum". Girls in all three settings of this study, the playground, academic classroom, and physical education class, were prevented from achieving their full physical, intellectual, and emotional development as a result of both direct and indirect stereotypes and sexist ideologies. Children who did not conform to the dominant values of aggression, power, and strength challenged these values and discovered ways of negotiating their preferred mode of playing and competing.M.Sc

Chapter VIII. Hosting Policies of Sport Events

Hallmark or “mega-events” are large-scale, planned occurrences of limited duration which can have a substantial social, economic, political, environmental and/or cultural impact on the host region (Emery, 2002; Essex & Chalkley, 1998; Hall & Hodges, 1998; Kavestos & Szymanski, 2010; McCloy, 2002; Roche, 2000; Whitson, 2004). Mega-events also involve significant mass media coverage usually on a global scale (Hiller, 2000; Roche, 2000). Multi-sport events such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth..

Sport Policy in Canada

Sport Policy in Canada provides the first and most comprehensive analysis of the new Canadian Sport Policy adopted in 2012. In light of this new policy, the authors, top scholars in the field, provide detailed accounts of the most salient sport policies and programs, while also discussing issues and challenges facing policy makers. In Canada and around the world, the last decades have known a sharp increase in state intervention and public funding in pursuit of medals on the international stage and in support of a more active lifestyle. Governments at all levels have made substantial investments in hope of hosting major sporting events to benefit from the economic impact and gain international prestige.The study of sport policies, often neglected in the past, is becoming an increasingly important research topic. Sport Policy in Canada seeks to fill this void by offering the most comprehensive analysis of sport policy since Macintosh, Bedecki, and Franks' Sport Policy in Canada (1987)