Parissa Safai (York University), Jean Harvey (University of Ottawa) and Philip G. White
(McMaster University)
SRG 2006
Français
The production of high performance sport in the pursuit of national and international excellence exacts a great toll on the bodies and lives of many athletes and those who support them
(e.g., parents, spouses). Although out understanding of the health-compromising practices associated with the production of high performance sport is growing, there has been a relative absence of research exploring the material conditions of athletes’ lives in relation to their health and well-being. This study examines the social determinants of athletes’ health and well-being – the social and economic factors that influence the health of individuals and communities as
a whole and that which relate centrally to the quality and quantity of resources distributed
to individuals and communities. This study examines the material conditions of athletes’ lives, as structured by the Canadian high performance sport system and Canadian high performance sport policy, and the ways in which those material conditions contribute to or detract from athletes’ health and well-being.
This project employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitatively,
the project involves in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analysis of relevant F/P-T sport policies in relation to the material conditions of athletes’ lives. Quantitatively, a survey questionnaire on the social determinants of athletes’ health has been developed and is being administered nationally. Data collection from questionnaires is currently underway.
Preliminary results indicate a number of key themes including, and perhaps most centrally,
the reliance of athletes on others (e.g., parents, spouses) for material support and the health consequences on these others as a result of their support of high performance athletes.
Health remains a relative concept in high performance sport and the ability to participate remains limited to those in the upper-middle to upper socio-economic classes. This has significant implications for the production of humane high performance sport and the promotion
of equitable, accessible and healthful sport for all.
The production of high performance sport in the pursuit of national and international excellence exacts a great toll on the bodies and lives of many sport participants, Including athletes and those who support them (e.g., parents, spouses, etc.). New avenues of research suggest that the health benefits of long-term high intensity participation in sport are questionable and that such intense participation may in fact contribute to increased rates of morbidity and mortality. This despite conventional wisdom that greater participation in sport and physical activity enhances health and the quality of life for many individuals and the oft-repeated rhetoric that high performance sport promotes higher rates of participation in sport among the broader Canadian population. Although our understanding of the health-compromising norms and practices associated with high performance sport is growing, there has been a relative absence of research exploring the social determinants of athletes’ health and well-being. This study examines the material conditions of athletes’ lives, as structured by the Canadian sport system and Canadian sport policy, and the ways in which those material conditions contribute to or detract from athletes’ health and wellbeing.
This three-year project employs both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Qualitatively, the project involves in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analysis of relevant federal/provincial-territorial sport policies in relation to the material conditions of athletes’ lives. Quantitatively, a survey questionnaire on the social determinants of athletes’ health has been developed and will be administered nationally.
Preliminary results indicate a number of key themes including, and perhaps most centrally, the reliance of athletes on others (e.g., parents, spouses, etc.) for material support and the health consequences on these others as a result of their support of high performance athletes. Health remains a relative concept in high performance sport and ability to participate remains limited to those in upper-middle to upper socio-economic classes. This has significant implications for the production of humane high performance sport and the promotion of equitable, accessible and healthful sport for all.
There is extensive national and international research documenting the ways in which social
determinants of health (SDOH) influence the health of individuals/communities and are directly
related to the ways in which resources are organized and distributed within a society. Although
our understanding of the health-compromising norms and practices associated with training and
competition is growing, there has been a relative absence of research exploring other social,
economic and political determinants of athletes’ health and wellbeing. This study is interested in
examining the material conditions of athletes’ lives, as structured by the Canadian sport system
and Canadian sport policy, and the ways in which those material conditions frame and impact
their health and wellbeing.
This three-year project employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Qualitatively, the project involves in-depth, semi-structured interviews with athletes and parents
and documentary research on relevant federal and provincial/territorial sport policies in relation
to the material conditions of athletes’ lives. Quantitatively, the key activity will be to develop and
administer a bilingual survey questionnaire on the social determinants of athletes’ health.
Results from the first year of study indicate three key themes: that health is a relative concept
among athletes and their parents; that many athletes rely, often heavily, on others for material
support; and that there remain barriers to participation in high performance sport remains
particularly with regard to socioeconomic status. Contextually, a number of social forces within
and outside of high performance sport work to perpetuate the inaccessibility of sport for all
including: the whittling of public budgets for sport/recreation facilities, programs and services;
the continued focus on downstream, rather than upstream, determinants of health; and the
sustained and, in fact, heightened emphasis on performance over health within the high
performance sport system as Canada nears the 2008 Beijing and 2010 Vancouver Olympic
Games.
SCRI 2007 Presentation Slides
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