Nov 21 - Sport, Health, Age

Sport and Health

Overview

• Instructor: Nicole Lee

• Course: Kine 2079

• Date: November 21, 2024

Key Questions

• Under what conditions is sport healthy or unhealthy?

• For whom are these conditions relevant?

• Who faces the most risk regarding health in competitive sport?

• Can sport be modified to ensure health for all participants?

• Are we willing to make these changes?

The Body as a Machine

• Concept of bodies as machines designed for optimal athletic performance.

• Risks may be minimized or neglected in pursuit of performance.

The Reality of Competitive Sports

• Competitive sports can hurt and damage bodies.

• Issues arise from long training hours and necessary sacrifices.

• Athletes often convince themselves they can recover later ("It’s a short season, I have all year to recover if needed").

Healthism

• Definition: The concept reflects various factors impacting health, including:

  • Income

  • Employment

  • Education

  • Childhood experiences

  • Access to health services

  • Race and gender

  • Genetics

The Culture of Risk

• Acceptance of pain and injury as marks of strength.

• Phrase "No pain, no gain" illustrates this cultural belief.

• Positive deviance: Pushing through pain is culturally honored.

Medicine in Sports

• Contrast between general medical practice and that within competitive leagues (e.g., NFL).

• Pressure for athletes to play through pain leads to medical compromises and short-term solutions.

Age and Ability

Misconceptions About Age

• People over 40 are often advised against vigorous activities.

• Those with impairments are frequently marginalized in sports.

Ageism

• Discrimination against older age groups based on stereotypes of incapacity.

• Alters relationships with older individuals, denying their abilities.

Age and Sport

• Global sports culture favors youthfulness; little representation of older athletes.

• Older athletes only gain attention for exceptional achievements.

Age Segregated Sports

• Older individuals often prefer age-segregated sports.

• Growth of "masters" level competitions supported by IOC and IPC.

• These competitions focus on health benefits of lifelong participation.

Preferences in Later Life Sports

• Older athletes acknowledge performance decline yet still enjoy competition.

• Increasing trend toward lifestyle sports that emphasize social experiences and moderate challenges.

Celebrating Older Athletes

• Example of a former junior champion returning to competitive skating at an older age.

References

• Scherer, J., & Wilson, B. (2020). Sport and Physical Culture in Canadian Society (2nd ed.). Pearson.