Exploring the provision and motives behind the adoption of health-promotion programmes in professional football clubs across four European countries

Røynesdal, Ø. B. et al. (2021) Exploring the provision and motives behind the adoption of health-promotion programmes in professional football clubs across four European countries. PLoS ONE, 16(11), e0259458. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259458)

Abstract

This study mapped existing health-promotion provisions targeting adults in professional football clubs across England, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal, and explored motives behind the clubs’ adoption of the European Fans in Training (EuroFIT) programme. We surveyed top-tier football clubs in the four countries and interviewed representatives from football clubs and the clubs’ charitable foundation who delivered EuroFIT. The findings showed large between-country differences, with football clubs in England reporting far greater healthy lifestyle provision than other countries. Relatively few health-promotion programmes targeted adults, particularly in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Norway. Club representatives reported that the motives for adopting the EuroFIT programme often involved adhering to both the social objectives of the football club or club’s foundation and business-related objectives. They viewed the scientific evidence and evaluation underpinning EuroFIT as helpful in demonstrating the value and potential future impact of both the programme and the clubs’ wider corporate social responsibility provision.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: This work was supported by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development, and demonstration under grant agreement number 602170.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Chng, Dr Nai Rui and Gray, Professor Cindy and Bunn, Dr Christopher
• Authors: Røynesdal, Ø. B., van Nassau, F., Chng, N. R., Pereira, H., Andersen, E., Bunn, C., Roberts, G. C., Nijhuis-van der Sande, M. W.G., Sørensen, M., van de Glind, I., van Actherberg, T., and Gray, C. M.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General); R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: PLoS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• ISSN (Online): 1932-6203
• Published Online: 19 November 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Røynesdal et a
• First Published: First published in PLoS ONE 16(11): e0259458
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190675		EUROFIT: Social innovation to improve physical activity and sedentary behaviour through elite European football	Sally Wyke	European Commission (EC)	602170	S&PS - Institute of Health & Wellbeing (Social Sciences)