Concept Models for Sports Development

creation Models for diversions developing fracture OneIntroduction in that location atomic number 18 m both methods which angiotensin converting enzyme empennage rely on in stray to undertake form _or_ system of authorities investigate. oft we will see policy overlords undertaking primary enquiry by representation of observations and experimentation, resulting in a first-hand account of the effectiveness of a trusted policy in a given context. However, much(prenominal)(prenominal) primary research is not always avail adequate to(p) or easily accessible, and a great volume persons sine qua non to rely on secondary accounts of in inventation to base their decision reservation processes on. It is this reliance upon secondary information that dismiss drive to troubles as to discussion section and reliability, which may kick down to the lack of effectiveness of a plastered enforced policy.The draw a bead on of this essay is to explore the principle of excogita tion good examples and their effectiveness in relation to the formulation of policy as regards sports maturation. In doing so, it will go about to identify what fantasy models actually ar, what sports organic evolution is defined as, how the two realms interrelate, and at long last the advantages and limitations of relying on design models as a form of research. It is important to spot at the outset that relying on secondary research is arguably troubled with danger in any case, except this essay excessively recognises the occurrence that primary sources or material may not always be available, and will consider whether fancy models make a valuable ersatz form of research.What argon Concept Models?Concept models are a analytical form of data collection, which researchers and naturalisemans a great dealtimes intake to gauge and measure certain aspects of a sample of a population, so as they back form general conclusions based on the results. Often a thought model is the result of laborious analysis and experimentation, which uses scientific data collection methods to theorize and test hypotheses, so as a person studying a particular proposition area apprise gain knowledge and intuition in a logical manner. Clearly in that respect is a significant going away between the use of a reas nonpareild hypothesis to a particular set of circumstances, as opposed to the application of theoretical principles, and this is peradventure where the fighting arises between these two methods of research in particular areas of study.It is important to run into the feature that there may be times where a invention model is perhaps the most appropriate method of research in a particular matter. However, some another(prenominal) situations will require a more(prenominal) than theory-based approach. This is the difficult issue that the study of society and culture presents to the academic and researcher society and social values are often not a ccountable to rhyme or reason. They cannot be aloneified by the application of facts and figures, but rather nonpareil must attempt to understand the profound rationale of a social context so as to contract an idea as to what conclusions can be drawn about that special(a)ly samples behaviour. The purpose of this essay is to highlight the tension which concept models bring to a social issue such as sports training.What is cavorts growth?Sports development cannot be defined by one singular term. It can have a variety of meanings depending upon the context it is used. Perhaps the most drumhead definition, but by no means definitive, is the followingSport development deals with the opportunities available for plurality to progress to their say-so in sport, from taking part for fun and wellness to competition and also encompasses the provision of opportunities for addressing the social issues of the mean solar day through participation in sport.1Furthermore, it is importa nt to note thatAs a profession sport development take ups to justify the claims made for it by politicians and practitioners alike by providing an record base for the claims made for its value as a legitimate social service.2Therefore, sports development is regarded as having a quality in society in general, and is not limited just all to participation in sport itself. It can relate to health, in the sensory faculty that participation in sport and sensible bodily function can lead to a reduction in corpulency levels and cases of coronary heart unhealthiness and the like. It can link to crime, in the sense that sport can be used as a method of implementing construction and rigidity into a persons life, with the theory existence that a person is less(prenominal) likely to mutilateend as a result. It can even deliberate as deep as other social issues such as gender equality, in relation to the access to top competition fresh events and activities being geared more tow ards men than women. All these dissimilar concepts are important, and all need to be understood in order to sincerely yours grasp the overall concept of sports development. But how does one teach this to others? How does one understand the relationship between these very different entities, in a user-friendly way?How are Concept Models used in Sports developing?Concept models can be a useful tool in sports development, and in fact have been in discussion and policy research since the 1970s. Since first being coined as a term in the 1960 Wolfenden wrap up,3 sports development has undergone somewhat of a development in itself. New concepts have arisen, that need to be explained to scholars, researchers and laypeople alike. This is where concept maps may serve a valid purpose. They visually represent how dissimilar aspects of areas interrelate and flow on from one another. For example, the area of sports development has traditionally been associated with the pyramid model,4 where by a person start ups at the bottom of the pyramid with many others at the foundation level, and gradually excises up the pyramid to the excellence level, which is alone reached by much fewer people. This legal abbreviated pyramid concept basically tells the reader in a visual way the overall principle of sports development, and what its ultimate goal is. However, this does promote limitations. Firstly, it implies that the totally way a participant in sport can move is up, and does not allow for the frequent occurrence of participants having to drop down one level and attempt to climb up again. Secondly, it also imposes a quite a rigid framework, and does not allow for the individual or unique genius of each and every participant. These issues will be discussed in unless fact in receivable(p) course.Concept models are also useful in the sense that sports development is an area which has been identified as severely miss in empirical and scientific data to justify any othe r major form of modelling.5 Riddoch also goes on to say that, as a result of this lack of hard evidence, we must rely more so on theory, common sense, observation and expert opinion as on hard evidence.6 This essentially proves the usefulness of concept models in the context of sports development however it also signifies the need that we need to begin developing a bank of hard evidence so as to support the faith the government shows in this area. Essentially then, concept models are useful as an introductory tool, however one should research to ex metamorphose these concepts with rigid empirical data.What are the Advantages of using Concept Models?The overwhelming usefulness that concept models play in relation to the design, planning and delivery of the sports development process is that fact that is essentially simplifies the concepts and the relationships between various aspects of sports development and the wider community. It can essentially explain otherwise complicated t opics quite put only and reasonably, while also guiding the policy development process as a whole, given that it can highlight unique(predicate) target ideas and values that a policy may wish to address. An excellent example of a concept model for sports development can be found in the silky 10 report entitled Sport and favorable Exclusion (1999) at page 10 thereof, which attempts to represent the relationship between sport (or physical legal action generally) and the wider economic benefits to the community as a whole.7 On the butt of this concept model, one can trace the path of consequences that a specific activity or outcome can carry. For example, an change magnitude time in sprints can lead to an increase in sports injuries, and then an increase in costs to the NHS. However, the same outcome could also result in an increased touchment in sporting activities, then an increase in ones health, and accordingly a decrease in costs to the NHS. This plat maps out this particu lar issue quite well, although it is still quite ambiguous, in the sense that it does not indicate which path is more likely than the other to occur, and implies an even chance of either (or even both) occurring.What are the Disadvantages of using Concept Models?The above discussion in relation to the advantages of concept models also perhaps highlighted what some of the disadvantages are. A person who seeks to rely on a concept model in developing sports policy may be make a decision based on misleading information. This is primarily due to the fact that concept models can imply ambiguity in the data they represent. As mentioned above, the example in relation to the silken 10s concept model does not give any indication as to what event is more likely to occur than the other, meaning that the policy manufacturing businesss cannot accurately measure their issues as against the consequences due to the lack of empirical data in support. Therefore, it is important for policy makers to make their own enquiries into the reliability of the information, and they also should seek to support it with some hard evidence before drawing a conclusion and formulating policy to guide the sport development process. Also, a exist concept model may not cater for the policy makers particular circumstances, and therefore it would be important to have further information available to tailor the concepts to fit the situation. Concept models may also only prescribe one manner of moving through the various concepts, which does not cater for all eventualities, and therefore one must use of goods and services caution when relying on them, and perhaps only rely on concept models which might allow a certain get along of flexibility in their guidance.ConclusionOn the basis of the above discussion, it would be reasonable to break up that concept models can be a valuable tool in guiding the design, planning and delivery of sports development policy, however they should be relied upon wi th caution, and the policy maker should make an effort to familiarise himself with other hard evidence so as he can make policy in the exceed interests of achieving the objectives he has set for the policy. It is the unique objectives of the policy that should come first, and it is the economic consumption of the policy maker to design and implement policy which will get to these goals otherwise it will be of no benefit. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the policy maker to make all reasonable enquiries so as to ensure that they are making their decision based upon reliable and sound evidence. date concept models are valuable resources, they are certainly not definitive, and should not be viewed as such by those who seek to rely on them. jump TwoChildhood obesity is becoming an ever increasing problem in todays modern society. So often do we see advertisements for truehearted food, junk food and other unhealthy habits and lifestyles, such as moving picture games, on the televisi on which are predominantly aimed at a new(a)er audience. This places significant pressure on the sports industry as a whole, as barbarianren who become disillusioned with sport may suffer consequences not only to their own health, but the heath of the industry overall. After all, children are the future of our society, and it is in the interests of sport into the future to promote its values to the younger generation. The purpose of this case study is to highlight ways that sport is used at a younger level, such as school age and the like, in order to promote the positive message of health and fitness to children. This is often achieved through the death penalty of social policy and activities which promote physical activity and are generally catered to the fitness and skill levels of younger children. It is difficult to repudiate the proposition that obesity in general, let alone childhood obesity, it orbit epidemic proportions around the world, specifically in the United St ates. The purpose of this brief therefore is to identify the objects of school-based activity course of studys, and rationale which underpin these plans, the design and implementation of these programs as well as their implications for trouble. Specifically, given the writers residence in Australia, it will tend to revolve around more on Australian-based research based on the writers experience in after-school childhood sport programmes.There is existent evidence and policy in existence which supports the proposition that sport can promote a healthy lifestyle and decrease the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke at a later make up in life. In particular, the PAT 10 report Arts and Sport (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 1999) includes health as an area in which sport can contribute to neighbourhood renewal. The quantify of Sport (Sport England, 1999) suggests that sport can make a contribution to the new policy agenda by assisting in the emolument of fitness and health the reduction of risk of coronary heart disease, obesity and osteoporosis psychological benefits (eg reduction of depression) and a range of more specific health benefits.8 Therefore, sports development serves a vast social purpose from a health perspective, in the sense that encourages its participants to increase their physical activity in order to improve their health and not face as many potential health problems down the track.In the Australian context, where the writer is based, there is clear evidence of a policy shift towards enforcing compulsory school-level sport in spite of appearance the curriculum for all primary school age students. In the landed estate of Western Australia, this was recently introduced and, according to Education Minister Mark McGowan, what I dont want to see is us reach the obesity levels of the United States and hold that governments cant take all the responsibility here. Two hours a hebdomad in a school curriculum in which were loading up literacy and numeracy as well is a good outcome. What we need is after school and on weekends, parents to play their bit as well.9 A Western Australian school principal remarked about the policy It is certainly very ordinary with the students. The teachers like the fact that we can now program it rather than it just being an add-on to the curriculum and it seems a very good way for us to resource the problem that were facing.10 What this demonstrates is the fact that the government only has a limited theatrical persona in the decrease of the epidemic of childhood obesity. Its hold are effectively tied, in the sense that much of the encouragement and enforcement necessitate to come from the parents of the children rather than the government. Essentially, the government only has control of children for about half a dozen hours per day, whereas parents are responsible for their children after school and on weekends, so there is a need for this value of childhood health and fit ness to interpenetrate as a social value, rather than simply becoming an botheration by government.Perhaps most relevant to the after-school programs that the writer was problematical in was the key points in relation to health which were made by Coulter in his research report entitled Realising the Value of heathen Services the case for sport (2001), and the following seven conclusions on this report can be drawnMuch of the research evidence relates to the health benefits of physical activity, rather than sports per seThere is a need to focus on behaviour change rather than formal activity, promoting facility use and uptake of classes and sessions.Among sports participants, the frequency of activity is often less than that mandatory to achieve and sustain health benefits.Qualitative evidence suggests that the greatest gains from involvement in activity relate to psychological health and increased feelings of well-being.It is important that such experiences are complemented by a recognition of the unique physiological benefits of exercise.Factors underpinning the achievement of activity provision have included appropriate and convenient local anesthetic facilities recognising the importance of participants friendship groups in getting involved and staying involved providing reassurance that people just like us are able to participate acknowledging, in particular to older people, that some physical activity will be give away than none and recognising that if the activity has some intrinsic value (good fun, enjoyable, a change of environment etc), it may be more appealing and ensure adherence.There is a widespread absence of robust observe information on the health benefits of participation and little long-term monitoring of adherence to activity programmes. This reflects the short-term nature of many initiatives, the lack of funding for such monitoring and the lack of expertise to undertake such work.11The above points perhaps best capture the underlyin g rationale behind after-school sports programs. There is no need for a child to participate in sports per se, but rather in activities which result in an increase in physical activity. While the definition between sports and physical activity can appear clouded on occasions it is clear that, for the purposes of Coulters report, they are two entirely different concepts.One of the key programs that the writer was involved in, in order to be able to comment upon this issue first-hand, is known as the Active after-school(prenominal) Communities program, which is operated under funding caterd by the Australian federal government. A record case study has been undertaken in regards to the effectiveness of this program in support younger children to participate in physical activity. Parents acknowledged the concerns in the occurrent social environment in relation to obesity and later health problems, however sought to support the program where they were able to, having regard for barr iers such as travel and distance, as well as time constraints in relation to parents being able to pick up and drop off children in line with their work commitments.12 However, in an attempt to promote uttermost attendance and participation, it was important for the deliverer of the program at each venue to follow certain policies in relation to the activities that they organise. First and foremost, it needed to be an activity that the children would enjoy. This meant that it needed to cater to the wants of the children, rather than the deliverer simply sublime a certain program upon the group. The deliverer therefore needed to be flexible in terms of ideas and planning of activities, however needed to go on firm enough to impose a sense of order, control and structure to the activities, in order to ensure that the overall objectives of the program were still being met. Another key feature of the Active After drill Communities program is the non-exclusion policy behind all of i ts activities. In essence, this means that no child should be excluded from the activities, and activities which provide for a person being out should provide another physical role for that child as part of the activity. For example, in a game of dodge ball, a person who is hit by a ball (in a safe manner) would ordinarily be out, however a good program deliverer could find an alternate role for these participants while they are waiting for a new game to start, such as throwing balls in from the sidelines as part of the game, which still keeps them involved and active. This often meant that the deliverer had to create unique games or activities within their own rules in order to implement the policies laid down by the program. This required special training on the part of program deliverers, and thus all deliverers were required to complete accreditation in the delivery of the program before being able to conduct the program unsupervised.Of course, the design and implementation of t he program is not without its involve upon the management of the program. It is important for the Federal Government to have regard for the fact that many parents are somewhat unable to pay outsized amounts for this program, and consequently the participants of the focus group expressed a desire for the program to be to a great extent, if not fully, subsidised by the government.13 This creates an issue, in the sense that the funding of the program is a significant concern given the associated expenses of program delivery. This is particularly due to the need to pay the deliverers for their services, but also that the program takes place immaterial of school hours. This means that supervision of the program often falls outside of the scope of a teachers ordinary duties, and thus often a casual employee (or a number of them) needs to be pursue in order to fill this role. Magnifying this issue is the need for a large number of sites to exist, especially in rural areas, in order t o tap participation by minimising the distance and travel factors. Additionally, the case study also highlights the lack of suitably qualified staff to fill these roles in any event.14 This means that the management need to outlay a substantial amount of funding to initially reach the required training and staffing standards that the policies of the program demand. Therefore, the management need to be mindful of the concerns raised by the parents of the children of the program, as they are reluctant to absorb any major costs associated with the program. As a result, the management need to ensure that the appropriate budgets and costings are obtained so as to meet the objectives of the program, and it is clear that these policies perhaps impose a great deal of pressure and responsibility upon the management.In summary, it would appear that the Active After School Communities program which the writer was associated with serves a valid purpose. It recognises the need for children to b ecome physically active, in a society which promotes generally unhealthy lifestyles and habits. The responsibility for this forbid social shift would have to be shared between the government, parents and corporations however the responsibility to fix the problem ironically sits with the same people. For example, the AASC program relies heavily upon funding from Nike, which provides clothing and equipment so the program can run efficiently. The government needs to put the framework in place, but ultimately it is the role of the parents to encourage their child to attend the program, and to ensure continued participation, so as the child can receive the full benefit of the program.BibliographyBooksHoulihan, B., and White, A., The Politics of Sports victimisation (2002), London RoutledgeHylton, K., Bramham, P., Jackson, D., and Nesti, M., Sports Development Policy, Process and Practice (2007, 2nd ed), London RoutledgeReportsCoulter, F., Realising the Value of Cultural Services the ca se for sport (2001) LGA, LondonPAT 10, inquiry Report Sport and Social Exclusion (1999) Institute of Sport and vacant Policy, Loughborough UniversityRiddoch, C., Relationships between physical activity and physical health in young people in new-fangled and Active? Young people and health enhancing physical activity evidence and implications (1998)Ruiz, J., A Literature recapitulation Of The usher Base For Culture, The Arts And Sport Policy (2004), Scottish Executive, EdinburghThe superior general Council of somatic Recreation, Sport and the companionship (1960), CCPR, London.Internet Sources rudiment News, Compulsory sport to rein in childhood obesity (2007), http//www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1924710.htm at 2 wonderful 2008Colmar Brunton Social Research, Evaluation of AASC Program Community Case Study Vasse Community (2008), Australian Sports Commission, http//www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0004/200389/Evaluation_of_AASC_program_-_Community_Case_Stud y_-_Vasse.doc at 2 August 2008Sports Development, www.sportsdevelopment.org.uk at 2 August 20081 Sports Development UK, Sports Development (2008) http//www.sportsdevelopment.org.uk at 2 August 2008.2 Ibid.3 See The General Council of Physical Recreation, Sport and the Community (1960), CCPR, London.4 See Casey (1988).5 Janet Ruiz, A Literature Review of the Evidence Base for Culture, The Arts And Sport Policy (2004), Scottish Executive, Edinburgh, 15 see also Chris Riddoch, Relationships between physical activity and physical health in young people in Young and Active? Young people and health enhancing physical activity evidence and implications (1998).6 Ibid.7 PAT 10, Research Report Sport and Social Exclusion (1999) Institute of Sport and Leisure Policy, Loughborough University, 10.8 F. Coulter, Realising the Value of Cultural Services the case for sport (2001) LGA, London, 15.9 ABC News, Compulsory sport to tackle childhood obesity (2007), http//www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200 705/s1924710.htm at 2 August 2008.10 Ibid.11 These points are drawn from sportdevelopment.org.uk at http//www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/hypertext markup language/rg_health.html at 2 August 2008.12 Colmar Brunton Social Research, Evaluation of AASC Program Community Case Study Vasse Community (2008), Australian Sports Commission, http//www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0004/200389/Evaluation_of_AASC_program_-_Community_Case_Study_-_Vasse.doc at 2 August 2008.13 Ibid.14 Ibid.