population, the exploration of factors associated with functional independence has become a priority for public health and geriatric researchers and practitioners. Of these factors, social networks have emerged as an important social determinant for health ( Valente, 2010 ). Social networks are defined by
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Carlos M. Arango-Paternina, Jhon F. Ramírez-Villada, Annie A. Tibaduiza-Romero, and Leonardo Rodríguez-Perdomo
Tyler Prochnow, Haley Delgado, Megan S. Patterson, and M. Renée Umstattd Meyer
their community, school, family, and social network to promote PA in children. 6 As a result, researchers are using social ecological models and systems theories to impact social relationships and community-level variables to improve health behaviors. 7 Children and adolescent PA behaviors are greatly
Melinda Forthofer, Sara Wilcox, Deborah Kinnard, Brent Hutto, and Patricia A. Sharpe
neighborhood) 9 – 12 in walking interventions. Members of social networks may help individuals overcome barriers to PA in their social environments and draw upon their existing social resources. 13 Researchers have begun to look beyond dyadic social relationships to group-based intervention approaches; 14
Heidi A. Wayment, Ann H. Huffman, Monica Lininger, and Patrick C. Doyle
Key Points ▸ This study used social network analysis (SNA) to examine relationships between social structure, identity perceptions, and concussion-reporting support in an NCAA Division I football team. ▸ Team belonging was positively correlated with having more friends and being highly connected
Stacy Warner, Matthew T. Bowers, and Marlene A. Dixon
Research has consistently revealed that team cohesion is positively related to team performance under certain conditions. In response to the need for understanding this relationship more fully, and because of the promising new insights that can be garnered with the use of social network analysis (SNA), this study employs SNA as a tool to explore a case study of the structural cohesiveness of two women’s collegiate basketball teams. Members of the two teams completed online roster-based surveys related to different types of structural cohesion levels at four points during the season. This case study revealed that the higher performing team showed improved structural cohesion in the efficacy network over the four phases, and highlighted the movement of key players in the different networks (friendship, trust, advice, and efficacy) over time. These patterns demonstrate the potential for SNA to function as a diagnostic tool for organizations and researchers to generate testable hypotheses even in instances where statistical inference may be precluded by sampling constraints. In short, SNA was found to be a valuable new tool for exploring, depicting, and informing explanations about the individual relationships that impact team dynamics.
Catherine Quatman and Packianathan Chelladurai
As an emerging research approach, social network theory and analysis has been embraced and effectively applied in disciplines that have overlapping interests with sport management researchers including such fields as organizational behavior and sport sociology. Although a number of sport management scholars have investigated network-related concepts, to date no sport management studies have fully utilized the analytical tools that social network theory and analysis have to offer. In conjunction with a discussion about the ontological, epistemological, and methodological perspectives associated with network analysis, this article uses several examples from the sport management and organizational behavior bodies of literature to illustrate a number of the advantageous techniques and insights social network theory and analysis can offer. These examples are meant to provide a general understanding of the utility and applicability of the social network theory and analysis and potentially inspire sport management researchers to adopt a social network lens in their future research endeavors.
Mitali S. Thanawala, Juned Siddique, John A. Schneider, Alka M. Kanaya, Andrew J. Cooper, Swapna S. Dave, Nicola Lancki, and Namratha R. Kandula
behavior change, a collective approach to addressing the behavior that involves family, friends, or community may be particularly effective. 24 The goal of this study was to examine the association between South Asians’ personal social networks and moderate to vigorous leisure-time physical activity (MVPA
Marion E. Hambrick
Sport industry groups including athletes, teams, and leagues use Twitter to share information about and promote their products. The purpose of this study was to explore how sporting event organizers and influential Twitter users spread information through the online social network. The study examined two bicycle race organizers using Twitter to promote their events. Using social network analysis, the study categorized Twitter messages posted by the race organizers, identified their Twitter followers and shared relationships within Twitter, and mapped the spread of information through these relationships. The results revealed that the race organizers used their Twitter home pages and informational and promotional messages to attract followers. Popular Twitter users followed the race organizers early, typically within the first 4 days of each homepage’s creation, and they helped spread information to their respective followers. Sporting event organizers can leverage Twitter and influential users to share information about and promote their events.
Ashley M. Duguay, Todd M. Loughead, and James M. Cook
sports seem to reflect the task characteristics for shared leadership. If the process of sport depends on the development and deployment of successful relationships, the way we model sport processes should be focused on those relationships. Social-network analysis (SNA) comprises “a set of methodological
Ross C. Brownson, Diana C. Parra, Marsela Dauti, Jenine K. Harris, Pedro C. Hallal, Christine Hoehner, Deborah Carvalho Malta, Rodrigo S. Reis, Luiz Roberto Ramos, Isabela C. Ribeiro, Jesus Soares, and Michael Pratt
Background:
Physical inactivity is a significant public health problem in Brazil that may be addressed by partnerships and networks. In conjunction with Project GUIA (Guide for Useful Interventions for Physical Activity in Brazil and Latin America), the aim of this study was to conduct a social network analysis of physical activity in Brazil.
Methods:
An online survey was completed by 28 of 35 organizations contacted from December 2008 through March 2009. Network analytic methods examined measures of collaboration, importance, leadership, and attributes of the respondent and organization.
Results:
Leadership nominations for organizations studied ranged from 0 to 23. Positive predictors of collaboration included: south region, GUIA membership, years working in physical activity, and research, education, and promotion/practice areas of physical activity. The most frequently reported barrier to collaboration was bureaucracy.
Conclusion:
Social network analysis identified factors that are likely to improve collaboration among organizations in Brazil.
