Engagement patterns of different social groups

• Participation in sport and influencing factors:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Race, religion, culture
  • Disability
  • Family, friends, peers.

  Social factos are linked to physiological factors.

  • Ageing may affect flexibility.
  • Disability may affect how skill is performed.
  • Puberty affects girls' and boys' bodies differently and at different times.

  Important not to make assumptions about individuals based on social factors but to understand the influence of them on people. Can improve participation in sport and physical activity. Helps create empathy, tackle inequality, and promote inclusion.
• Age in sport:

  • Children need to develop gross motor skills from an early age to become confident.
  • Adolescents experience a growth spurt that changes their physical development. Affects how they acquire skills and confidence, self-esteem, body image.
  • Women may experience a variety of changes during menopause, may affect self-confidence.
  • Older people may experience weight gain and decreasing flexibility and strength. May lose confidence in physical activities.
  • People gain responsibilities as they age and may have less time to participate due to pressure of exams, jobs, or family.
• Gender in sport:

  • Don't see the relevance of PE and sport to their lives.
  • Think choices in PE and school sport are limited.
  • Dislike taking part with boys or men who monopolise play or who play aggressively.
  • Are more motivated by having fun, making friends, and keeping fit rather than excelling.
  • Feel judged and embarrassed on how they look.
  • Have less spare time due to childcare and domestic responsibilities.
  • Lack positive role models.
  • Women's sport has less media coverage.
• Race, religion, and culture in sport:

  Over half of people in black and minority ethnic (BME) communities do no sport or physical activity.

  • Only 5% of coaches are from BME communities.
  • Only 7% of sports professionals (other than performers) are from BME communities.
  • People from BME communities are 50% less likely to be sports volunteers than the general population.
• Disability and inclusion in sport:

  There are around 11 million people in the UK who have a disability. Participation of disabled people in sports is significantly lower.

  • Physical barriers - A lack of or the cost of equipment.
  • Logistical reasons - A lack of transport or communication.
  • Psychological reasons - Lack of confidence, other peoples attitudes.
• Taking part in sport (disability):

  Sports can be adapted by changing:

  • Where it is done - Shorter distance, lower net, court with zones.
  • How it is done - Two bounces before you hit the ball, roll instead of throw.
  • What is used - Bell-ball, flag instead of whistle.
  • Who does what - Uneven teams - 6v4, a guide runner.
• The Paralympic Games:

  At the London 2012 Games, 4,200 athletes from 160 countries took part in 20 sports. There is more reporting of disability sport in the media and disabled performers have a much higher profile than before.
• Impact of family and friends (positive): 


  • Moral support - congratulating a child for trying hard in athletics.
  • Financial support - paying a golf club membership fee on behalf of the child.
  • Transport - driving a child to go to a training session away from home every week.
• Impact of family and friends (negative):

  • Moral support - never attending the child's competitions due to being too busy.
  • Financial support - not paying for equipment for the child.
  • Transport - relying on a teammates' parent to drive the child to practice.
• Friends or peers are also extremely influential and can be either a positive or negative influence. As young people reach adolescence, their friends may take part in other pastimes. People tend to drop out of regular participation in sport during their teenage years. Supportive friends might watch their friend play or perform, ask about competitions, and show interest and moral support regardless on the result.