Realising the benefits of sports and physical activity : the human capital model

Cope, Ed; Parnell, Daniel

Abstract

Despite the fact that physical activity is universally acknowledged to be an important part of healthy functioning and well being, the full scope of its value is rarely appreciated. This paper introduces a novel framework for understanding the relationships between physical activity (and specific forms of activity like sports) and different aspects of human development. It proposes that the outcomes of physical activity can be framed as differential ‘capitals’ that represent investments in domain-specific assets – Emotional, Financial, Individual, Intellectual, Physical, and Social. These investments, especially when made early in the life course, can yield significant rewards, both at that time and for years to come. The paper also outlines some of the conditions necessary for the realization of Human Capital growth through sports and physical activity, focusing on the social factors that influence participation for children and young people.

Citation

Cope, E., & Parnell, D. (2015). Realising the benefits of sports and physical activity : the human capital model. Retos : nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación Federación Española de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educación Física, 28, 147-154

• Acceptance Date: Nov 15, 2014
• Publication Date: 2015
• Deposit Date: Oct 21, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2017
• Journal: Retos
• Print ISSN: 1579-1726
• Electronic ISSN: 1988-2041
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Pages: 147-154
• Keywords: Sport, Physical activity, Human capital model, Children, Young people
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/379906
• Publisher URL: http://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/retos/article/view/34945/19214
• Additional Information: This is an open access article published in Retos, 2015, Vol. 28.