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... evidence of this chapter, however, suggests that this common perception needs to be at least refined and perhaps radically changed. Figure 4.1 shows the sport hill for team and individual sports separately for males and females. It reveals that the gender gap is very large and, for the SSPE sample, began in early childhood. ...
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... % Take-ups Drop-outs Male Female Multivariate analysis in Appendix A reveals that some of the developments in sporting participation that have occurred across recent generations are not consistent across both genders. This can be seen in Figure 4.3, which depicts the sport hill for team sports up to age 20 years, for three cohorts and by gender. There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of team sport being played by girls, especially during the period when they are second-level school age, although for the most recent generation there was a substantial increase at primary school also. ...
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... increase in participation in team sports for males, meanwhile, is less dramatic, more consistent, and continues into adulthood. Turning to individual sports in Figure 4.4, the proportions who played regular sport as children are much more stable across gender and cohort. ...
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... is clear from the rate of take-up and drop-out from playing regular sport across the lifespan (see Figure 4.2 above), the pattern of participation in adult sport is less driven by key transition points and ages than is the case for children's sport. ...
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... over the decades, this steady rate of transition means that the composition of people playing can change considerably. Figure 4.5 shows the proportion of adult regular players at each age who took up playing regularly from age 20 years onwards. By age 40 years, more than half of the sport being played was accounted for by sport taken up after age 20 years. ...
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... analysis of Chapter 2 shows that more recent generations are playing individual sports and therefore dropping out at a slower rate, a finding confirmed in the multivariate analysis in Appendix A. Thus, these survival curves are very likely to be flatter for the current generation of young adults. Figure 4.6 provides separate survival curves by gender. Comparing the curves during people's twenties, marginally more women dropped out from sport than men. ...
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... about the take-up of new sports? Figure 4.7 shows the proportion of people who had taken up a new sport from the age of 20 years onwards. It is, in effect, an inverted survival curve. ...
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... the sample is further separated into those who already played a sport at age 20 years, those who had never played a sport by age 20 years, and those who had previously played but dropped out by age 20 years, the impact of gender ceases to be significant. This finding is depicted in Figure 4.8, which again provides curves for taking up a new sport, this time separated both by gender and sporting status at age 20 years. There are some slight differences apparent in the curves. ...
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... findings of the multivariate analysis and the associated picture in Figure 4.8 provide a subtle and important twist to the relationship between gender and participation in sport. ...
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... findings of the multivariate analysis and the associated picture in Figure 4.8 provide a subtle and important twist to the relationship between gender and participation in sport. The interpretation initially suggested by Figure 4.7, that men might be more interested in taking up new sports than women, does not bear closer scrutiny. Men are only more likely to take up a new sport because they are already more likely to be involved in sport. ...
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... initial work indicated that with the models for dropping out of sport, the influence of gender relative to the other explanatory variables was inconsistent with age. Based on their sporting histories, women dropped out more quickly than men in their early twenties, but more slowly in their thirties (Figure 4.6, main text). ...
Citations
... Research reported evidence of low levels physical activity among late adolescents (Fahey et al., 2005). Moreover, physical activity have decline rapidly in adolescence (Lunn & Layte, 2008;de Róiste & Dineen, 2005;Fahey et al., 2004), this trend is most pronounced among females (Morgan et al., 2008;Hope et al., 2005;Kimm et al., 2002). ...
... The availability of PA extra-curricular, organised, out-of-school and 'enrichment' activities for Irish children has grown steadily in the last thirty years (Lunn & Layte, 2008). Coinciding with this type of development, is a parallel growth in the social expectations on parents to regard the family home as an important site for formal and informal pedagogic practice (Smith & Haycock, 2016). ...
Worldwide, children do not meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity (PA) and a unified approach is required to increase children’s engagement in PA. Parents, are increasingly regarded as playing a key role in children’s PA behaviours. Physical activity parenting (PAP) is growing as a research field and refers to parental behaviours intended to influence children’s investment in PA. Using the perspectives of both parent and child, this research aims to identify PAP practices (positive and negative) engaged by Irish parents and to examine how PAP is embedded within a socioecological context. A purposive sample of 116 families in Ireland were included in the study. Families were stratified by social class, location, and family structure. Parents and children were interviewed and a secondary analysis of the interview data was completed. A theoretical model and conceptual framework relating to PAP guided data analysis to identify and understand parenting practices that influence children’s PA behaviour. Data was deductively analysed and key findings indicated that PAP practices of encouragement, involvement, and facilitation were positively associated with children’s engagement in structured sport activities. Co-participation was positively associated with children’s participation in unstructured PA. Mothers and fathers differed in their PA roles, with fathers engaged to a greater extent in involvement parental practices. Children from middle and higher socio-economic class families participated in a greater repertoire of structured PA and benefited from a greater diversity of PAP practices. Family context (social class, structure, size), community resources and organisational factors mediated the presence of PAP practices. Parents’ PA attributes and parents perceptions of PA attributes were less important influencers. Successful and effective engagement of parents in PA interventions is dependent on consideration of the various social contexts that are embedded in families.
... The "sports hill" highlights a steep decline during the late teens and early adulthood for women, mainly because of a decrease in participation in team sports ( Figure 3). 42 A meta-analysis of 49 studies looking at PA levels in adolescence and young adulthood also showed a decline (weighted mean difference −5.2 [95% CI, −7.3 to −3.1] min/ day moderate or vigorous PA over mean [±SD] 3.4 [2.6] years). 43 Young adults in the CARDIA study (n = 5115) reported significant reductions in PA over 7 years of follow-up (ages 18-30 to 25-37 years) and declining fitness, as measured by a treadmill test at baseline and year seven, which was associated with significant weight gain. ...
Significant weight gain occurs in women during young adulthood, which increases risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers. This review aims to inform future individually targeted weight gain prevention programmes and summarizes possible targets: key life events, mediators that influence energy intake and physical activity levels, and moderators that could identify groups of women at greatest risk. Life events affecting weight include pregnancy and motherhood, smoking cessation, marriage and cohabiting, attending university, and possibly bereavement. Research has identified successful methods for preventing weight gain associated with pregnancy and motherhood, which could now be used in practice, but evidence is inconclusive for preventing weight gain around other life events. Weight gain is mediated by lack of knowledge and skills around food and nutrition, depression, anxiety, stress, satiety, neural responses, and possibly sleep patterns and premenstrual cravings. A paucity of research exists into altering these to limit weight gain. Moderators include socioeconomic status, genetics, personality traits, and eating styles. More research is required to identify at-risk females and engage them in weight gain prevention. There is a need to address evidence gaps highlighted and implement what is currently known to develop effective strategies to limit weight gain in young women.
... Sport is a physical activity that gives participants a chance to experience enjoyment and competition, while at the same time acquiring positive outcomes such as new challenges, social interactions, skill enhancement and increased levels of fitness as well as enhanced physical and mental health [2]. Standard analysis of gender and participation in sport prior to the late 1980s has shown that women were less likely to participate in sport than men and that women were also less interested in sport [3]. However, this common perception appears to have radically changed since the early 1990s. ...
... Women are not only participating more in sport than in previous decades, but they are now participating in many sports that have previously been considered as male dominated. Lunn & Layte [3] reported mixed results from studies based on sport and low socio-economic status as poverty was associated with both increasing and decreasing sport participation. ...
The main aim of this study is to examine the differences in participation and motivation in sport activities among male and female athletes in Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka. A group of 106 athletes (male: 75 and female 31) were selected from several sports (lawn bowl, basketball, rugby, handball, hockey, volleyball, taekwondo, karate do and pencak silat) through purposive sampling technique. Their age ranged from 18 to 21 years. Data were collected from athletes using Revised Participation Motivation Questionnaire [1]. The results revealed that the latent structure of the types of sports students' motives consisted of six factors (skill development, social, fitness, fun, energy release and popularity). Independent sample t-test was used to test the level of motivation between male and female athlete. Finding revealed that there was no significant difference between male and female athletes in all the components except for popularity.
... and cycling. 5 In contrast, team games occupy the most popular school sports with basketball being the most popular, followed by soccer, rounders, then badminton. 6 However, there is little research quantifying how participating in a particular sport influences academic achievement. ...
... This type of ethical tourism also emphasises the importance of limiting the negative impact of tourism on the host community whilst at the same time 4 46% of the adult population of Ireland ( 1 . 5 million people average ) participate in recreational walking , 3% Cycling ( Lunn and Layte , 2008 ) . ...
With the unprecedented growth of tourism it is inevitable that sustainable planning guidelines must be adhered to. During the next decade, the tourism industry is expected to grow by an average of 4% annually to constitute 10% of global GDP (US$10 trillion) and by 2022 it is predicted that globally 1 in every 10 jobs (328 million) will be tourism-related. Sustainable management of our natural resources is now a high priority, as tourism planners attempt to avoid past problems associated with the mass tourism market as happened in the case of the rapid growth of the Costas around the Mediterranean Sea from the 1960s until the 1990s.This type of mass or ‘fast tourism’ represents the very antithesis of a type of tourism that is considered sustainable. Past models of tourism development illustrated little or no concern for the existing landscape, social, environmental or economic and it is hoped that the dawn of ‘slow tourism’ and more ecological approaches that are based on a valorisation of natural landscapes can avoid, and to some extent, ameliorate the problems of the past and rejuvenate rural economies.
This paper analyses the innovative use of natural resources (i.e. the local landscape, marine resources and flora and fauna) in the South West coast of Ireland. The initial primary data and information gathered form a narrative of the innovative efforts that led to the development of the walkway. An impending census of the peninsula will provide an in-depth analysis of landowners’ and farmers’ attitudes to the evolution of the walkway as well as other attributes such as: environmental awareness, issues of sustainability, community links, farm diversification and conservation of the landscape. This is achieved through effective collaboration, financial assistance from REPS (Rural Environmental Protection Scheme) payments, and desire to showcase their native and spectacular landscape.
... In general, research has reported low levels of physical activity among late adolescents (Fahey et al., 2005). Furthermore, physical activity has been found to decline rapidly in adolescence (Fahey et al., 2004;Lunn & Layte, 2008;de Róiste & Dineen, 2005). This trend is most pronounced among females (Pate et al., 1995;Morgan et al., 2008;Hope et al., 2005;Kimm et al., 2002). ...
There is limited Irish research which focuses on rates of physical activity and the correlates of physical activity among college students, typically aged 18–22 (Clan Survey, 2003). A questionnaire examining participation rates in and correlates of physical activity was administered to a representative sample of 532 students in colleges within the Republic of Ireland. Key correlates of physical activity were further explored using interviews (n = 16) of Irish coaches/college sport personnel and college students. A significantly higher percentage of males reported participation in organized physical activity/sport (male = 57.8%, female = 27.5%;p ≤ .001), whereas females were more likely to participate in unorganized physical activity (female = 74%, male = 56.8%; p ≤ .001). Intrinsic motivational factors (e.g., fun/enjoyment, fitness, fondness of competition, interest) were found to be primary positive correlates of physical activity/sport for both males and females. Barriers to physical activity were eleme...
... Furthermore, the structures that are in place today would seem to suggest that the opportunity for reaching the highest level of sport is now there to be achieved in Ireland, should the talent emerge. Moreover, the investment that has been put into sport in the past ten years has spurred new levels of participation in sport (Lunn et al., 2008). An important aspect of the development of junior elite athletes has been based on the concept of a Long Term Player/Athlete Development Pathway (Balyi, 2001). ...
... In reviewing the sports capital grants distributed to Waterford clubs in the past ten years (as shown in Table 8.1), it can be clearly seen that there is a bias against minority sports with a large percentage of the funding being provided to the Gaelic Games, Soccer, Rugby and Boxing. This point of unequal funding is discussed by Lunn et al. (2008), in which they question the unequal distribution of money to sports clubs over the past ten years. They point out that more money has being invested in elite athlete sport in comparison to grass route participation. ...
... This result is not surprising given that the sport hills for males and females (Figure 3) not only display contrasting levels but also contrasting shapes. These differences are primarily driven by different rates of dropout at different life stages, for both team and individual sport (Lunn and Layte, 2008). In principle, one way to handle this violation of the proportional hazards assumption is to employ a time-dependent gender variable in the model specification. ...
During the nineties, Europe became a major recipient of FDIs but Italian regions have been largely excluded from this process. Was it due to their characteristics, or were Italian regions “doomed” by a negative country effect? In this paper we address this issue by estimating the determinants of multinational firms’ location choices in 52 EU regions. We find that Italian regions indeed attracted significantly less than their observable potential, and that this could be explained by the inefficiency of the bureaucratic apparatus and of the legal system. The effect of taxes is instead strongly sensitive to the inclusion of agglomeration variables and is asymmetric across regions.
... With respect to the impact of sport on health and quality of life, there is now a large international literature that attempts to measure the benefits of sport and physical activity. (For review and references relevant to the Irish context see Fahey et al., 2004; Delaney and Fahey, 2005; Lunn and Layte, 2008). Research mostly focuses on the link between participation in sport and health, although the possibility that participation in sport promotes social capital has also been examined. ...
... However, its effect on participation must be considered in the context of other providers of sporting facilities in recent decades, including local authorities, voluntary organisations, private ventures and, perhaps especially, educational institutions. As described in Lunn and Layte (2008), the three previous decades saw a very large expansion of the Irish education system, focusing on second-level between the 1960s and 1980 and on third-level thereafter (Coolahan, 1981). New institutions and higher enrolment were accompanied by considerable investment in and improved access to sporting facilities provided by the education sector. ...
... Greater insight into the forces of change at work here can be had by looking at how participation in sport varies across the life course. Lunn and Layte (2008) compared the individual sporting histories collected in the SSPE 2003 by cohort, separately for team and individual sports.Figure 11 plots participation rates for three cohorts in the two types of sport across the life course. GETTING OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN 69 This analysis provides a striking illustration of the trends in participation in ...
Introduction The context for this year's Budget differs sharply from most of those in the past decade and a half. The global economy has been buffeted by crises in financial markets. Oil prices, even after recent falls, are at very high levels. Furthermore, the sharp decline in housing activity in Ireland carries negative implications both for employment and for tax revenues. A consequence of the changed situation is that the date of the 2009 Budget has been brought forward by eight weeks. This year's Budget Perspectives Conference, co-hosted by The Economic and Social Research Institute and the Foundation for Fiscal Studies, provides several inputs to inform macroeconomic decision making in these challenging times. In addition, two longer-term issues are addressed. The first of these deals with the policy framework for climate change, an issue that has risen rapidly on the Irish policy horizon in recent years. The second issue is the effectiveness of public spending in achieving its objectives in the area of sport, which is now recognised as an important contributor to health and quality of life in modern society. Developments in the global economy are of particular importance to Ireland, given the importance of trade in both goods and services to the Irish economy. In the first paper, Ray Barrell and Simon Kirby, of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) in London, provides an overview of the shocks which are besetting the global economy at present. After a long period of stability, the world economy is currently going through a period of financial turmoil, as banks face the consequences of poor lending decisions in a context of inadequate global regulation. At the same time, oil prices have risen to unprecedented levels. In a number of countries, and especially in Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, these factors are compounded by developments in the housing market. House prices that were buoyed by a credit boom in many countries over a number of years have now started to fall. The impacts on consumption and on housing investment are leading these economies into recession. Risk premia have risen in many markets, and investment is faltering as a consequence. Budget deficits have increased as a result of the unexpected slowdown in economic growth. While some of this is cyclical, trend growth has also been significantly reduced by factors such as the oil price rise and the increase in risk premia. While public policy can seek to smooth over the cyclical element, public spending plans will have to be reined back to remain in line with trend growth, if tax rates are not to rise significantly. International Situation The implications of these global factors for the Irish economy, and of domestic factors such as the slowdown in housing activity, are dealt with in a presentation by Alan Barrett, Ide Kearney, Jean Goggin and Martin O'Brien based on the ESRI's Autumn Quarterly Economic Commentary. As this is to be published on the day of the conference, details are not available at the time of writing. The Commentary and the presentation will give particular attention to the state of the public finances, and the appropriate stance for fiscal policy in 2009. Outlook for Ireland One issue that is of central importance in the Irish economy today is the appropriate size of the budget deficit for 2009. Four speakers will contribute to a roundtable on this issue: Ray Barrell (NIESR), Joe Durkan (UCD), Patrick Honohan (TCD) and Philip Lane (TCD). These papers and/or presentations will be available on the ESRI website. Climate Change In their paper, Lisa Ryan (Comhar), Frank Convery (UCD) and Noel Casserly (Comhar) point out that Irish policy on climate change is substantially shaped at EU level, with national targets and some key mechanisms coming to us from the European Union. For example, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has created scarcity in the market place for the power and heavy industry sectors, and they face a price signal per tonne of CO2 'allowance' that tells them that reduction at a cost per tonne below the market price will be profitable, and that increased emissions will incur a heavy cost penalty. Ryan, Convery and Casserly argue that auctioning of allowances - not present in the current system, but included in proposals to revise the system post-2012 - would represent an improvement in the efficiency of the policy. There is, however, some freedom of action open to Ireland in responding to new and demanding targets (to be achieved by 2020) proposed by the EU for sectors not covered by the ETS (agriculture, transport, waste, heat and process related emissions from residential, commerce and industry not in the trading scheme). Ryan, Convery and Casserly argue that a central element of policy in this area should be the introduction of a carbon levy to reach the level of the allowance price in the EU ETS They also suggest that if costs of reducing carbon emissions are substantially higher in the non-ETS sector, efficiency in achieving the overall target would require some flexibility between the ETS and the non-ETS sectors; this would require a decision at European Commission level. Sports Expenditure: Hitting the Target? Achieving value for money in public expenditure is another key issue, whatever the state of the economic cycle. Its importance is even more marked in the present situation. In order to attain this, we must have a clear idea of the objectives of particular expenditure programmes, and of the extent to which the expenditures contribute to these objectives. This is the approach taken by Pete Lunn (ESRI) in assessing the economic returns to public investment in sport, which have increased very substantially over the past decade. The stated aims of Irish sports policy emphasise improvements in health and quality of life. There is, indeed, considerable empirical support for the view that there are significant health and social benefits to be had from participation in sport. However, the analysis challenges the way current policy addresses three trade-offs in the allocation of resources: the balance between "elite" and "grassroots" sport; the trade-off between investment in sporting facilities (physical capital) and participation programmes (human and social capital); and the allocation of public money across the range of different sporting activities. In each case, the evidence base suggests that the aims of policy could be better served by a reallocation of sports investment which takes recent research findings on sports participation into account.
