The impact of structural conditions in municipalities on sports participation of adolescents and young adults in Switzerland

Abstract

Previous research has mainly focused on individual determinants of sports participation, however, for young people, sport activity is also most likely influenced by various structural factors (e.g. the significance of the municipal promotion of sport, municipal sports facilities and sport supply), as this group is less mobile than others. This research considers how different sports policy and structural conditions in municipalities influence the sports participation of young people. To assess the possible influences of structural conditions on sports behaviour, a multilevel model of sports participation in municipalities was developed based on the actor theory approach of Esser (1999) and the economic behaviour theory by Becker (1993). Multilevel data about local sport facilities, the sport supply and the municipal promotion of sport was gathered from 31 selected municipalities, using an online survey of 15 to 30 year old inhabitants (n=4039) about sport behaviour, interviews with providers and representatives of the municipalities, and document analyses. Multilevel analyses reveal that individual as well as structural factors are relevant to the sports participation of young people. An active municipal promotion of sports fosters sport activity. Moreover, the perception that sports facilities are easily reached is important to the sports participation of young people. High satisfaction with the municipal sport supply promotes sports participation. Furthermore, commercial sport providers in the municipality play an important role in sports participation. The results demonstrate that adequate structural conditions and an active sport policy by municipalities can promote the sports participation of young people. Keywords: sport promotion; multilevel analysis; municipal sport policiy