Youth Involvement and Positive Development in Sport - Chapter 10

Question 1

Reasons for participation

Answer 1

• fun
  -demonstrate competence
  -improve skills
  -exercise/fitness
  -affiliation/friendship
  -competition

Question 2

Reasons for drop-out

Answer 2

-other activities (sport or non-sport)
- pressure
-dislike coach
-failure/not competent
-not fun
-over-emphasis on winning

Question 3

Youth sport

Answer 3

-concern that youth sport is over-organized and institutionalized
-fear that programs focus too much on sport skills and performance outcomes instead of personal development
-positive youth development approach focuses on personal assets of youth to achieve positive outcomes of sport involvement

Question 4

3 main objectives of youth sport

Answer 4

1. provide youth with opportunities to be physically active which can lead to improved physical health through sport participation
2. Important for personal development, providing opportunities to learn life skills (example: discipline, collaboration, self-control)
3. critical for performance of motor skills

Question 5

Other objectives of youth sport

Answer 5

• focus on all 3 main objectives rather than just one or two
• focus on fun, skill development, and maximum participation
• encourage athletes to stay involved
• encourage success at all developmental stages of life and all levels of sport

Question 6

Positive physical health outcomes associated with youth sport

Answer 6

• cardiovascular fitness
• weight control
• muscular strength/endurance
• decreased risk of health problems

Question 7

Negative physical health outcomes associated with youth sport

Answer 7

• overuse injuries
• eating disorders
• use of performance-enhancing drugs

Question 8

Positive psychological development outcomes associated with youth sport

Answer 8

• fun and enjoyable experiences
• challenging experiences
• increased self-esteem
  -decreased stress
• increased happiness

Question 9

Negative psychological development outcomes associated with youth sport

Answer 9

• burnout
• decreased self-esteem
  -experience of excessive pressure
  -experiencing isolation from teammates

Question 10

Positive social development outcomes associated with youth sport

Answer 10

-positive peer relationship
- citizenship
- social status and success
- leadership skills
- enhanced problem-solving skills
- decreased school dropout rate

Question 11

Negative social development outcomes associated with youth sport

Answer 11

• aggression
• assault
• poor sportsmanship
• increased drinking

Question 12

Frameworks of positive youth development

Answer 12

• initiative: ability to be motivated from within and to direct attention and effort toward a challenging goal over time
• activities to promote initiative must contain:
  1. intrinsically motivated
  2. concerted attention toward goals
  3. occurs over extended period of time
• core quality of positive physical, psychological, and social development in children

Question 13

Fostering initiative through constructive activities

Answer 13

1. Relaxed leisure activities: enjoyable activities that require minimum effort (example: hanging out)
2. Constructive leisure activities: enjoyable but require sustained effort towards goal achievement (example: sport, music, etc.)

Question 14

8 features of positive development settings for youth

Answer 14

1. Physical and psychological safety
2. appropriate structure
3. supportive relationships
4. opportunities to belong
5. positive social norms
6. support for efficacy and mattering
7. opportunities for skill building