Decision-making by extreme athletes: the influence of their social circle.

We explored the influence of the social circle on decision-making in regard to risk by 13 extreme athletes from different sports (Free solo climbing, Base-jumping, Longboarding, Solo seafaring, Alpinism, Extreme skiing, Extreme kayaking), all considered extreme due to the high risk of injury or death during practice. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with each participant individually in order to determine the influence of members of their social circle (parents, children, partner, friends, etc) on their behaviour. Our results show that their influence is insufficient to substantially modify the practice of extreme sport or the exposure to extreme risk or to lead them to give up their sport. Friends linked to extreme sports are the only ones capable of understanding and promoting these practices. The influence of the rest of the agents will go in the direction of reducing risk taking. The passion for thrill-seeking activities is what imbues the lives of extreme athletes with meaning and this passion is broadly immune to influences from their immediate social circle.

Benefits of Outdoor Sports in Blue Spaces. The Case of School Nautical Activities in Viana do Castelo.

Participating in outdoor sports in blue spaces is recognized to produce a range of significant social benefits. This case study empirically analyzes the social benefits associated with the School Nautical Activities project carried out in Viana do Castelo (Portugal) in school-age children and adolescents. It consisted of a 4 year program in which scholars took part in nautical activities (surfing, rowing, sailing, and canoeing) in blue spaces once a week during a semester as a part of their physical education course. The methods used for data collection were as follows: (1) a survey answered by 595 participants in the program and (2) five focus groups (FG): two FGs with participants (seven on each FG), two FGs with their parents (eight participants each), and one FG with the physical education teachers (five participants). Interviews were transcribed and qualitative analysis with NVivo software was developed. Results revealed clear evidence on the social benefits for school-age children and adolescents associated with participation in outdoor activities in blue spaces both in the overall health and in all the following analyzed categories: mental health and well-being, education, active citizenship, social behavior, and environmental awareness. More than 40% state that their overall health is much better now (13.4%) or somewhat better now (29.9%) due to their participation in the program. Thus, this article provides support for the anecdotal recognition of the benefits for school-age children and adolescents from participating in sports in the outdoors and especially in blue spaces.

Living Life Through Sport: The Transition of Elite Spanish Student-Athletes to a University Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences.

Interest in studying the different transitions faced by elite athletes throughout their careers has grown significantly in recent years. While transition from secondary school to university is an important research area in Europe, there is a void of studies on how student-athletes experience the transition to specific degrees. One of the most sought-after university degrees among elite athletes in Spain is a degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (PASS). The first aim of this study was to investigate the main demands, barriers, and resources perceived by elite student-athletes in various phases of dual career transition to a university degree in PASS. The second aim was to identify the transition pathways pursued depending on the subjective importance they attached to sport and education. Eleven elite student-athletes (M age = 20.7, SD = 1.6 years) who were in their second and third year of the degree in PASS participated in semi-structured interviews. Deductive-inductive thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed three main themes: (a) general university transition issues, (b) PASS-specific transition issues, and (c) transition pathways. Our results show that the close link between sport and the content of the degree was perceived by the elite student-athletes as their main resource. This link, however, was also perceived as a major barrier as the compulsory practical subjects entailed a risk of injury or overtraining that could affect both athletic and academic development. We noticed how the importance they attached to sport or studies varied at different moments of the transition period, a phenomenon we termed "fluid transition pathways." Dual career promotion for elite athletes is an important part of European sports policy, and our findings provide new knowledge that could help Spanish PASS faculties develop specific assistance programs to support transitioning student-athletes.

Benefits of Outdoor Sports for Society. A Systematic Literature Review and Reflections on Evidence.

The combination of physical activity and being in nature is recognized as providing a range of significant benefits. The objective of this literature review was to compile an overview of the social benefits and costs associated with outdoor sports within the academic literature and to reflect on the quality of underlying evidence that supports the relationship. A systematic review was carried out with seven partners from different European countries, including Bulgaria, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. From a total of 17,560 studies identified, 133 studies were selected with relevant data extracted to standardized forms. The selected studies have been analyzed with qualitative research methods. A meta-analysis could not be conducted due to the heterogeneity of the study designs and outcome measures. As a result, the review gives an overview of the social impacts associated with outdoor sports which have been clustered to six broad categories: physical health, mental health and wellbeing, education and lifelong learning, active citizenship, crime reduction, and anti-social behavior, as well as additional benefits. The review furthermore revealed gaps in the evidence base which are especially notable in the long-term effects that outdoor sports can have on personal and social development.

Análisis de las características organizativas de los programas de apoyo a estudiantes-deportistas de élite en el sistema universitario de Cataluña / Análise das características organizacionais dos programas de apoio a estudantes-atletas de elite no sistema universitário da Catalunha / Analysis of the elite student-athletes support programs' organizational characteristics in Catalonia's higher education system

Este trabajo pretende analizar las características organizativas de los programas universitarios de apoyo a la carrera dual en Cataluña. La muestra se compuso de las diez universidades que disponían de programas de apoyo a la carrera dual. La recogida de datos se llevó a cabo mediante entrevistas a 13 coordinadores, así como a través del análisis del contenido existente en los sitios web de cada universidad. Los resultados exponen diferentes perfiles de estudiantes-deportistas presentes en los programas. Se han manifestado carencias en elementos como la disponibilidad de recursos, la planificación o la legislación vigente. Asimismo, factores externos como el profesorado o el sistema europeo de grados universitarios han mostrado tener una notable influencia. Se concluye que la voluntad política, un contexto económico favorable y la colaboración privada son elementos necesarios para avanzar en el desarrollo de los programas

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as características organizacionais dos programas universitários de apoio à carreira dupla na Catalunha. A amostra foi composta pelas dez universidades que possuíam programas de apoio à carreira dupla. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas com 13 coordenadores, bem como pela análise do conteúdo existente nos sites web de cada universidade. Os resultados mostram diferentes perfis de alunos-atletas presentes nos programas. Houve deficiências em elementos como a disponibilidade de recursos, planejamento ou legislação vigente. Além disso, fatores externos, como o corpo docente ou o sistema europeu de diplomas universitários, mostraram ter uma influência significativa. Conclui-se que a vontade política, um contexto econômico favorável e a colaboração privada são elementos necessários para avançar no desenvolvimento dos programas

This paper aims to analyze the organizational characteristics of higher education programs supporting dual career in Catalonia. The sample included ten universities that had dual career support programs. Data collection was carried out through interviews with 13 coordinators as well as by analyzing the existing content of each university's websites. The results show different profiles of student-athletes linked to the programs. There have been deficiencies in elements such as the availability of resources, planning or current legislation. Moreover, external factors like teaching staff or the European system of university degrees have shown to have a significant influence. Findings point out that political will, a favorable economic context, and private contribution are necessary in order to advance in the programs' development