Sport values and sustainability?

Abstract

Introduction United Nations call for all nations to act together towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and recalls that this collective transformation requires the development of shared values into citizens that are in line with SDGs. Sport is particularly highlighted in this perspective as it is supposed to intrinsically convey values associated to sustainability that would be internalized by practitioners. To go beyond this ideology, this study aims to review empirical findings establishing the values intrinsically salient in sport, their internalization or not by practitioners and the processes explaining this internalization.

Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review through Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and ERIC database using values of sport, sport values, sporting values, and athletic values keywords (n=7992). 32 studies published between 1990 and 2023 were retained. These papers comprised empirical qualitative and quantitative studies on sport values and their development in sport. Inclusion criteria were notably comprised of participants’ physical involvement in sport (e.g., physical education students, athletes, coaches), and rigorous research practices (MMAT, Hong et al., 2018). Data extraction followed a three-steps process resulting in descriptive data (e.g., sport type, participants), an in-depth analysis of sport values (e.g., terminology, type), and processes explaining value development in sport.

Results Analyses revealed 79 sport values, with 13 of them representing 50% of total occurrence (i.e., fairness, winning, obedience, health and fitness, contract maintenance, achievement, skills, public image, honesty, sportspersonship, hedonism, caring, leadership). Some of these sport values were found to be in conflict with athletes’ personal values (e.g., winning). The values developed by practitioners during sport differed based on gender, age, and the type of sport. Finally, the processes highlighted to explain these differences and which stakeholders (e.g., coaches, PE teachers) could grasp to support the development of values are (1) sports practice climate (e.g., social climate, competitive environment), (2) the influence of agents of socialization (e.g., peers, coach), and (3) the social norms made salient consciously or not during practice.

Discussion/Conclusion Sport values, defined as the values intrinsically attached to the sport environment are diverse. Some can support SDGs (e.g., health and fitness, caring) but sport intrinsic values are not necessarily in line with SDGs (i.e., leadership, obedience, achievement), international organizations principles (IOC, 2024), nor with athletes and sport enthusiasts’ visions. Moreover, sport intrinsic values are not automatically accepted and developed by practitioners. To develop values that serve sustainability, stakeholders like coaches, PE teachers, and sports programs coordinators need to (1) consider sports characteristics and the way they orient the climate of practice, (2) be aware of the role of value socialization agents, and (3) pay attention to the norms and values (they make) salient during sport practice.

References

Hong, Q. N., Fàbregues, S., Bartlett, G., Boardman, F., Cargo, M., Dagenais, P., ... & Pluye, P. (2018). The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. Education for Information, 34(4), 285–291. https://doi.org/10.3233/EFI-180221

The International Olympic Committee. (2024). Olympic values – Excellence, respect and friendship. https://olympics.com/ioc/olympic-values#