Sport and Health

This section provides an overview of the related areas between sport and health. An introduction to the role of sport in enhancing physical and mental well-being is provided.

A number of key themes related to sport and health are then explored in more detail:

• The health benefits of sport and physical activity
• Sport, physical activity and risk factors for major diseases
• Tackling HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases through sport
• Practical implications for sport for HIV prevention programmes
• Sport and public health campaigns.

Each sub-section contains a list of recommended reading for those who wish to delve deeper into the topic and these publications are available to download.

A downloadable bibliography of recommended readings and further resources is also included of sources that are not available online but may be accessed through your local library.

Health, Sport and Well-being

There are a variety of ways in which health is understood, especially as a part of developing individuals and communities. A common understanding of health is needed to grasp the ways in which sport can play a role in achieving health objectives and the benefits of physical activity and sport on various body functions... Read More

Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Sport and Physical Activity

Participation in physical activity and sport, through a number of mechanisms, can have significant impact on the health of individuals and communities. The physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits of sport and physical activity are well-researched and are linked to the reduction of chronic illness and disease... Read More

Sport, Physical Activity and Risk Factors for Major Diseases

Inactivity is a major risk factor in a number of chronic diseases that are having immense impact on health status world-wide. Sport and physical activity can promote activity lifestyles, which in combination with other approaches, can reduce the risk of chronic lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and mental illness...
Read More

Tackling HIV/AIDS and Other Communicable Diseases through Sport

Sport and physical education can serve as alternative platforms to provide crucial information to populations at risk of communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS... Read More

Practical Implications for Sport-for-Health programming

Sport-for-health programming requires careful consideration to be given to the prescription of physical activity, which must be suited to the target group. Furthermore HIV/AIDS prevention programming using sport must take into account a number of factors...
Read More

Sport and Public Health Campaigns

Public health campaigns use sport to motivate communities to consider top priority health concerns. A number of large-scale initiatives and targeted partnership approaches promote the health benefits of participation in sport and physical activity... Read More

Selected Bibliography

Download the selected bibliography of books, journal articles and other resources (not freely accessible via the web) on sport and health...
Read More

 

Project Case Studies

Raising awareness among young people on major health concerns, including HIV/AIDS, can be difficult. Find out more about how sport and games were used to help get health messages across... Read More

 

 

Selected bibliography

• Sport and Health - selected bibliography

 

 

Sport and Health (full text)

• Health (print version) PDF 132 KB