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Towards More Sustainable Sports: Analyzing the Travel Behavior of Adolescent Soccer Players in Southern Norway

Author

Listed:
  • Aron Laxdal

    (Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway)

  • Bjørn Tore Johansen

    (Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway)

  • Elling Bere

    (Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway
    Department of Health and Inequality, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway)

  • Bård Erlend Solstad

    (Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway
    Norwegian Research Centre for Children and Youth Sports, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, 0863 Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

Mitigating climate change is a global challenge demanding effort from all sectors, and sports are no exception. While transportation is one of the key issues regarding sustainable sports, the methods by which children and adolescents get to practice have not received much attention. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to present how adolescents in Southern Norway travel to soccer practice and assess how the mode of transportation is related to sex, socioeconomic status, age, ethnicity, and distance from home to practice. Cross-sectional data were collected from 558 adolescent soccer players (398 boys and 190 girls) representing 30 different clubs from settlements of varying rurality. While most of the participants lived within cycling distance from the field of practice, the majority opted for passive modes of transportation (55% passive vs. 45% active). A logistic regression analysis found that traveling distance and age were associated with active transportation habits, while sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status were not. Further research is needed to examine the main barriers to active travel for this already active population, as active transport represents an opportunity for sports to become more sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Aron Laxdal & Bjørn Tore Johansen & Elling Bere & Bård Erlend Solstad, 2022. "Towards More Sustainable Sports: Analyzing the Travel Behavior of Adolescent Soccer Players in Southern Norway," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-7, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9373-:d:876678
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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