About this Research Topic

Background

Sport is widely recognized as a powerful means for positive social change. However, in spite of the extensive literature exploring the role played by sport-based programs in promoting several social outcomes (e.g., community development, employability, health, and social inclusion), there is a need to better understand if and how sport-based programs are successful. Current evidence suggests that these programs can promote recognizable employability and health outcomes, but there is further need to understand if sport programs work for a specific set of employability or health targets and population. Second, there is a need to map the conditions that guide specific developmental outcomes through sport and their transferability outside the sports context.



This Research Topic looks at sport as a complex social phenomenon within and through which it is possible to trigger social development beyond the practice of sport itself. More specifically, the aim is to foster a comprehensive understanding of the societal role of sport as an efficient tool for social and economic development, employability, inclusion, and health. We particularly (although not exclusively) encourage the submission of applied and theoretical research and commentaries that focus on:

• Coaching activities that promote social skills and competencies beyond sport

• The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of sport-based programs aiming to develop employability through sport

• The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of physical activity programs aiming to improve health

• Innovative methodologies to analyze the use of sport as a tool for employability


In addition, we encourage the submission of:

• Critical reviews of the literature on sport and employability
• Participatory Action Research work aimed at developing employability and health through sport

Keywords: Sport, coaching, skills, labour market, development, employability, well-being, social-impact

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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