ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH07
Introduction. The significance of sport in Australia is underscored by its contribution to national health, social cohesion, and economic prosperity. Following the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Australian Institute of Sport identified science and research priorities, releasing in March 2022 the national high-performance (HP) sport Research Agenda (RA2022), with updates every 4 years, aligned to summer Games cycles. The intended beneficiaries of the agenda were athletes, coaches, teams and organisations within Australia’s HP sport system. We report here on the process to develop and iterate thematic priorities for a national HP sport system. Methods. Priority setting was conducted using the framework outlined by the NSW Health Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence (1) and reported following the REPRISE guidelines (2). Stakeholder engagement was inclusive, with input from summer and winter Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth sports. The process involved multiple phases: 1) after the Tokyo Games, a diverse group of stakeholders generated the initial priorities; 2) a subgroup of participants (5 athletes, 5 coaches, 5 performance support practitioners, 5 researchers and 5 administrators) categorised and ranked the initial priorities to define emerging themes; 3) subject matter experts considered gaps in evidence and identified relevant sub-themes; 4) RA2022 was published in March 2022; 5) after Paris 2024, participants (including athletes, coaches) completed a survey on what science and research should focus on; 6) results were compared with RA2022 priorities, to highlight overlaps, gaps and/or discrepancies; 7) release of the updated national science and research priorities for HP sport (RA2025); 8) the next update will occur after Los Angeles 2028. Results. 117 initial priorities were collected from 78 individuals (45% M, 31% F, 24% did not respond) from 31 organisations. Duplicated and out of scope priorities were removed, leaving 80 unique priorities. The equal representation subgroup identified four major thematic priorities: Successful Athlete, Coaching Science, Sports Performance Optimisation, and Practice Enhancement. A total of 154 participants from Paris 2024 Olympics or Paralympics responded to what science and research should focus on. All the RA2022 key themes were confirmed in RA2025. Emerging priorities include equipment and strategic insights. Conclusion. The RA2022 and the RA2025 update were developed with an evidence-based approach, supported by the National Institute Network Research Group and the National Sport Research Agenda Advisory Group. The process involved stakeholders likely to be affected by, or with an interest in, the research priorities. Appropriately developed and clearly communicated science and research priorities should facilitate the allocation of resources based on HP sport needs. (1) Setting Research Priorities: A Guide (2023) (2) Tong et al. (2019
Read CV Paolo MenaspàECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH07
Introduction Environmental sustainability is an important issue for the sports sector. Climate change threatens the future of sports through factors such as extreme weather conditions, rising sea levels, and reduced water resources. Most sports organizations are poorly equipped to assess and manage the risks associated with climate challenges (Orr & Inoue 2018). A lack of knowledge is one of the biggest barriers to implementing sustainable initiatives in the sports sector (Cury et al. 2022). In this study, we focused on equestrian sports, which have been criticized for their environmental impact. The aim of this study is to explore the challenges and opportunities that equestrian education institutions face concerning environmental sustainability. Methods This study applies the concept of Sport Ecology as a theoretical framework. Institutional theory is used to explain the factors that enable or hinder environmental adaptations. The study used a qualitative approach with two methodological strategies. First, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from equestrian education institutions and organizations (15=Sweden and 18=Norway). Second, 8 workshops were carried out. Results Overall, environmental challenges in equestrian education are perceived as being linked to economy, time, and knowledge. There is an interest in sustainability, and institutions feel they comply with legislation, yet they are aware that more can be done. Raising awareness and integrating sustainability further into daily activities is seen as necessary, as well as increasing reminders for pupils, staff, and visitors at facilities. Respondents recognize the need for stronger integration in curricula, exercises, and activities, involving pupils and staff while collaborating with stakeholders working on these issues. Discussion To address the challenges posed by climate change, strategic and well-planned solutions are required, with interdisciplinary collaboration playing a key role (McCullough et al. 2020). There is a growing need to enhance knowledge and implementation of sustainable practices in equestrian sports. Sport ecology provides a relevant framework for analyzing and improving how the equestrian sector can adapt to climate change and reduce its environmental impact. Fields such as sport management, sports psychology, leadership, and pedagogy offer theories and methods that can contribute to developing sustainable strategies for equestrian educations. References Cury, R., Kennelly, M., & Howes, M. (2022). Environmental sustainability in sport: a systematic literature review. European Sport Management Quarterly, 23(1), 13–37. McCullough, B. Orr, M & Kellison, T. 2020. Sport Ecology: Conceptualizing an Emerging Subdiscipline Within Sport Management. Journal of Sport Management, 34, 509-520 Orr, M., & Inoue, Y. (2018). Sport versus climate: Introducing the climate vulnerability of sport organizations framework. Sport Management Review, 22(4),
Read CV Gabriella ThorellECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH07
INTRODUCTION: Recently, the Chinese government has issued several policies, such as the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Construction of Sports Parks," outlining development goals and requirements. However, issues like imbalance and inadequate growth in sports park development persist. Therefore, developing and applying a sports park service quality evaluation system to improve service quality is crucial for promoting sustainable and healthy sports park development. METHODS: Using a mixed research method, the study proceeded as follows: 1) A review of domestic and international sources using keywords such as sports parks, service quality, and sports park service quality. 2) Interviews with 23 individuals (13 males, 10 females), including the public and experts in China, to explore the service quality model using grounded theory. 3) A survey of approximately 800 individuals (399 males, 401 females) in China across three rounds of questionnaires, leading to the development of a reliable and valid service quality evaluation system. 4) A case study in Shanghai, where field surveys, IPA (Importance-Performance Analysis), and other methods were used to survey 207 individuals (97 males, 110 females) who exercise in sports parks. Based on relevant policies and the current development status of Shanghai’s sports parks, suggestions for service quality improvement were proposed. RESULTS: 1）Based on theories like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Service Quality Evaluation Theory, and New Public Service Theory, and from the public perception perspective, the sports park service quality model in China includes five dimensions: Tangibility, Reliability, Assurance, Responsiveness, and Empathy. This model covers 19 dimensions, 43 concepts, and 173 statements, such as transportation accessibility, park environment quality, public facility configuration, sports event variety, staff professionalism, park regulations, and multifunctional service integration. 2）Following strict procedures for scale development, the data from three rounds of questionnaires were analyzed using project analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability and validity tests. As a result, a sports park service quality evaluation system was developed, consisting of 34 items across five dimensions: Tangibility, Reliability, Assurance, Responsiveness, and Empathy. 3）Based on the service quality indicators in the four quadrants of the IPA matrix, Shanghai sports parks should focus on improving service quality in areas such as health promotion services, sports events, sports fees, facility maintenance, facility configuration, and intelligent sports venue facilities, Resources should be allocated accordingly to enhance the overall service quality of sports parks. CONCLUSION: Future empirical studies on sports park service quality in China should expand coverage to better align the development of sports parks with national construction, social development, and public needs.
Read CV Li Ping XuECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH07