This work explores the intersections between modern physical activity and society. It applies social theory to a broad range of physical activities such as sports, fitness, dance, weightlifting, and others. "This book is an introduction to the social and cultural issues that society tackles when its members are physically active. It emphasizes the promotion of healthy individuals and a healthy body in the many movement settings where the body is active. This book takes a contemporary approach to physical culture to include not just sport but also fitness, dance, aerobics, weight training and more. The authors take a community approach to understanding the factors involved in crafting a healthy society. The aut

Social Issues in Sport, Fourth Edition, explores common questions and issues about sport and its relation to society through various sociological and cultural lenses. The text is grounded in practical application and provides social theories through which students may examine real-world issues

Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Physical Activity explores the intersections between modern physical activity and society. The text surpasses the scope of sociological texts that focus solely on sports, covering a broad range of physical activities such as fitness, dance, weightlifting, and others. The authors emphasize the promotion of healthy individuals and a healthy body in the many movement settings where the body is active. Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Physical Activity explores contemporary topics such as reducing disparities in education and income, increasing socioeconomic diversity in communities, the medicalization of fitness, the rise of cosmetic fitness, the promotion of physical activity as a requirement for health, and the globalization of the fitness industry. The text includes the following features to enhance student engagement: Chapter objectives help students achieve their learning goals Key points and terms to highlight important information throughout the text Active Bodies sidebars that offer context for concepts presented in the chapter and provide examples and applications Discussion questions that provide opportunities to reflect on chapter topics Part I of Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Physical Activity examines political, educational, media, and economic institutions that influence the relationship between society and physical activity. Part II explores how an individual’s race, gender, social class, and ability are interpreted through a social lens. Part III of the text discusses the process of developing healthy populations as well as promoting public health and body positivity. Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Physical Activity offers a cross-cultural perspective of society, health, and the body in motion. Readers will finish the text with a greater understanding of social theory applications in physical culture.

Sociocultural Issues in Physical Education: Case Studies for Teachers is useful to a wide range of individuals interested in increasing their sociocultural awareness and knowledge in order to consider how students’ experiences are shaped in and through physical education classes. This book may be especially useful to teacher candidates and as a professional development tool. What happens in physical activity learning spaces is of great significance to the learners that occupy those spaces. Broadly speaking, one cannot deny that education is rife with error, nor can one ignore the presence of global-level issues in physical education. Using a case study approach, this book addresses social and cultural issues that can and do arise in physical education. This book offers a tool for studying and better understanding how social and cultural issues impact student learning in physical education. Chapter authors point toward possibilities for better understanding sociocultural issues in physical education settings.

Researching Difference in Sport and Physical Activity goes beyond the content of introductory research methods texts to provide an insight into the methodological hurdles that are experienced when researching 'difference' in Sport and Physical Activity. Contributors reflect upon how the rhetoric of research methodology transfers into the reality of data collection across 'difference'. Presenting case studies of real research projects, the book covers a range of topics, such as: disability in sport and physical activity vulnerable children in sport and physical activity visual research tools when working with children in a primary school setting physical activity, sedentary behaviour and obesity through childhood diverse ethnic groups in sport and physical activity settings. Each chapter contends with practical issues of power and representation within the research process, to recognise how a researcher-participant relationship that considers those who are 'othered' serves to change the dynamics and processes of research. This is an important resource for students of all sports related subjects and essential reading for anyone interested in the study of marginalised populations in sport and physical activity.

Social Issues in Sport, Third Edition, explores common questions and issues about sport and its relation to society through various sociological and cultural lenses. Author Ronald Woods draws on a lifetime in sport as a participant, observer, fan, teacher, coach, administrator, and critic to explore historical perspectives and complex relationships that have emerged between sport and our modern society. The text’s engaging writing style, full-color design, and ample learning tools keep students engaged. Social Issues in Sport, Third Edition, remains grounded in practical application and follows the framework of the previous editions to provide social theories through which students may examine real-world issues. Updated statistical information allows students to analyze trends in participation, popularity, gender, race, and class as they relate to sport. The third edition also features the following enhancements: • New “Applying Social Theory” activities in each chapter that foster an understanding of social theories that ground the subject area • Updated “Activity Time-Out,” “Expert’s View,” “Pop Culture,” and “In the Arena With . . .” sidebars that offer a contemporary context to which students can apply the concepts in the text • Increased emphasis on emerging issues such as sport for development and peace as well as the growing role of electronic media • Updated instructor ancillaries that provide assistance in lecture preparation and give instructors new ways to engage students and reinforce concepts found throughout the text Social Issues in Sport, Third Edition, is divided into four parts, maintaining the student-friendly format and accessibility of previous editions. Part I presents the framework for study through defining terms and presenting six crucial social theories that are used throughout the rest of the text. Part II addresses various forms of participation in sport, from spectator to participant, recreational to professional, and explores sport marketing and commercialization, as well as the close relationship between sport and media. In part III, the role of sport programs and player development, from youth to intercollegiate, as well as the crucial role of sport coach and its many responsibilities. Part IV delves into sport and culture, focusing on social classifications and their powerful effects on sport participation. Ancillary materials are available to aid instructors using this text in the classroom. An updated instructor guide includes chapter summaries, student objectives, chapter outlines, and additional student activities. A test package, chapter quizzes, and presentation package provide instructors with support for lecture preparation and tools to ensure that students remain engaged. Social Issues in Sport, Third Edition, provides the foundations for examining the multifaceted roles of sport and physical activity in society and for studying sport from a critical perspective. The information and many activities used throughout the text invite students to understand and evaluate the sociocultural issues raised by sport and relate these themes to their own lives. Through this in-depth examination of sociocultural issues, students will be able to understand and appreciate the development of sport as a part and reflection of the development of society.

This book examines how social issues shape and influence our engagement with sport, leisure time physical activity, and health-promoting exercise. Connecting the personal with the public, it helps the reader understand how individual exercise, leisure, and sport participation are both facilitated and constrained by their social contexts. Presenting a series of in-depth descriptions of grassroots sport, urban lifestyle sport, physical activity across the life course, sport for children with special needs, and the development of creative climates in sport, this book seeks to encourage what C. Wright Mills described as the “sociological imagination”. Every chapter begins with an individual-level account centred on everyday challenges with accessing sport, partaking in leisure activities, and meeting guidelines for daily exercise before exploring the larger, socially determined patterns in which those experiences are located, establishing a vital template for the social scientific study of sport, leisure, and health. Touching on key contemporary themes including diversity, inclusion, health inequalities, and physical inactivity, as well as selection and intensification in sports, this book offers new case material and theoretical tools for understanding the relationships between sport, leisure, health, and the wider society. This is an indispensable companion for any course on the sociology of sport, exercise, leisure, or physical activity and health.