European soccer is composed of different leagues and a variety of governance structures and club ownership models. The extent of national and local government intervention and involvement in the sport varies between the league and clubs participating in European tournaments. The European leagues
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Gidon Jakar and Stephanie Gerretsen
Adilson Marques, Miguel Peralta, João Martins, Élvio R. Gouveia, and Miguel G. Valeiro
to promote health ( European Commission, 2008 ; WHO, 2010 ) and prevent chronic diseases ( Alves et al., 2016 ). Although there is evidence that vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) is associated with a larger decreased risk of the incidence of chronic diseases than low
Ángel Luis Clemente Remón, Víctor Jiménez Díaz-Benito, José Emilio Jiménez Beatty, and José Antonio Santacruz Lozano
The population of the European Union (EU) is aging steadily. In 2018, 19.7% of its population was made up of senior citizens aged 65 or over, a percentage that is constantly increasing ( Eurostat, 2019 ) and a demographic variance with additional economic consequences for society ( European Union
Pamela Wicker and Paul Downward
-Riot, Cuskelly, Auld, & Zakus, 2014 ; Schlesinger & Nagel, 2018 ; Wicker, 2017 ). This requirement is recognized outside of sport by policy makers ( European Commission, 2011 ). One consequence is that agencies such as the European Union (EU) provide funding opportunities for various programs that facilitate
Erik J. Timmermans, Suzan van der Pas, Elaine M. Dennison, Stefania Maggi, Richard Peter, Maria Victoria Castell, Nancy L. Pedersen, Michael D. Denkinger, Mark H. Edwards, Federica Limongi, Florian Herbolsheimer, Mercedes Sánchez-Martínez, Paola Siviero, Rocio Queipo, Laura A. Schaap, Dorly J.H. Deeg, and for the EPOSA research group
Background:
Older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) often report that their disease symptoms are exacerbated by weather conditions. This study examines the association between outdoor physical activity (PA) and weather conditions in older adults from 6 European countries and assesses whether outdoor PA and weather conditions are more strongly associated in older persons with OA than in those without the condition.
Methods:
The American College of Rheumatology classification criteria were used to diagnose OA. Outdoor PA was assessed using the LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data on weather parameters were obtained from weather stations.
Results:
Of the 2439 participants (65–85 years), 29.6% had OA in knee, hand and/or hip. Participants with OA spent fewer minutes in PA than participants without OA (Median = 42.9, IQR = 20.0 to 83.1 versus Median = 51.4, IQR = 23.6 to 98.6; P < .01). In the full sample, temperature (B = 1.52; P < .001) and relative humidity (B = –0.77; P < .001) were associated with PA. Temperature was more strongly associated with PA in participants without OA (B = 1.98; P < .001) than in those with the condition (B = 0.48; P = .47).
Conclusions:
Weather conditions are associated with outdoor PA in older adults in the general population. Outdoor PA and weather conditions were more strongly associated in older adults without OA than in their counterparts with OA.
Signe B. Daugbjerg, Sonja Kahlmeier, Francesca Racioppi, Eva Martin-Diener, Brian Martin, Pekka Oja, and Fiona Bull
Background:
Over the past years there has been increasing interest in physical activity promotion and the development of appropriate policy. So far, there has been no comprehensive overview of the activities taking place in Europe in this area of public health policy.
Methods:
Using different search methods, 49 national policy documents on physical activity promotion were identified. An analysis grid covering key features was developed for the analysis of the 27 documents published in English.
Results:
Analysis showed that many general recommendations for policy developments are being followed, for example: general goals were formulated, an implementation plan was included, a timeframe and a responsible body for the implementation was often specified. However, limited evidence for intersectoral collaboration was found. Quantified goals for physical activity were the exception. Population groups most in need such as people with low levels of physical activity were rarely specifically targeted. Most policies emphasized the importance of an evaluation. However, only about half of them indicated a related intention or requirement.
Conclusion:
In recent years there has been a noticeable development of national policy documents on physical activity promotion. Following principles for policy development more closely could increase the effectiveness of their preparation and implementation further.
Alfred Ruetten, Annika Frahsa, Luuk Engbers, Narcis Gusi, Jorge Mota, Rimantas Pacenka, Jens Troelsen, Jana Vasickova, and Anne Vuillemin
Background:
A multilevel theoretical framework of physical activity (PA) promotion that addresses supportive environments, PA behavior, community action, and PA promoting policies is related to research and development in an international comparative study.
Methods:
Most-different and most-similar case selection was applied to data from 8 European Union Member States. Data from semistructured key informant qualitative interviews, focus group interviews with experts and policy-makers, as well as document analysis were linked to corresponding Eurobarometer data.
Results:
The framework on the interplay of environment, PA behavior, community action and policies appears to be working across most different countries. Comprehensive systems of PA infrastructures are interlinked with relatively high levels of PA prevalence. These countries implement comprehensive national policies on PA promotion and show a positive perception of related local governments’ engagement. Less comprehensive systems of infrastructures interplay with lower levels of PA prevalence, less community action and fewer policies. Differences between similar cases are linked to country-specific contexts.
Conclusions:
Framework application and comparative analysis indicates how to relate theory to empirical research and complex data sets. In-depth analysis of country-specific contexts and longitudinal observation on changes within and between countries might advise on how to integrate the framework into intervention research.
Jonas Biel, Tobias Finger, Vincent Reinke, Jennifer Amann, Arne Niemann, and Marc Jungblut
mediatization of football and its consumption ( Schulz, 2004 ; Skey et al., 2018 ) and resulting complex interdependencies between actors and audiences within the “media sports cultural complex” ( Rowe 2003 , p. 4). Additionally, in Europe, the administrative structures and regulatory frameworks of most
José M. Cancela, Karina Pereira, Irimia Mollinedo, Manuela Ferreira, and Pedro Bezerra
27.5% and that in Europe the prevalence was 23.4% ( Guthold, Stevens, Riley, & Bull, 2018 ). In order to achieve health benefits, physical activity guidelines such as those from the World Health Organization ( 2010 ) and the American College of Sports Medicine ( Nelson et al., 2007 ) suggest that
Szczepan Kościółek
The orientation toward win maximization rather than profit maximization ( Garcia-del-Barrio & Szymanski, 2009 ) characterizes football clubs in Europe. This leads to overinvestment and competition among football clubs based on spending power ( Dietl et al., 2008 ). Consequently, access to fund
