- Title
- Skill based modified sports programs for younger participants : The risk of boredom and drop out
- Creator
- Eime, Rochelle; Payne, Warren; Casey, Meghan
- Date
- 2005
- Type
- Text; Conference paper
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/66003
- Identifier
- vital:2814
- Identifier
- ISSN:1440-2440
- Identifier
-
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(17)30632-1
- Abstract
- Sport in Australia has recognised that children are not 'little adults'. Initially, responses included modifications to: equipment; playing surface size; some rules. In recent years many sports have developed structured, skill-based, age specific developmental programs for younger participants. The aim of this study is to investigate why participants become involved, and to find out what they enjoy most and least about these programs. Program coordinators/coaches and parents of participants (5-7 years) of two modified sports programs were interviewed. Questions included thoughts about: the program structure and resources; why participants became involved; what the participant likes/dislikes most; how the program could be improved. Behavioural theories are utilised in the discussion of these combined program results. Common themes were found between the thoughts of the program participants and "drop outs";. A main finding was that children join these sports programs to have fun, and when it ceases to become fun they get bored. Participant enjoyment was associated with game and match like activities. Many program coordinators reported altering the program structure to include more game and match like activities. The repetition of the program over two years for the participant was also a common barrier reported. In conclusion, it is recommended that sports programs for young participants are age specific and that they are modified to the full adult version. However, modify the programs to suit the needs and the desires of the children or face high drop out rates.
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Relation
- Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 8, no. 4 Supplement (2005), p. 79
- Rights
- Copyright Elsevier
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- Sports program; Physical fitness; Nutrition; Research; Children; Drop-out; Attrition
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