#12 - The Sociocultural Influence on Youth Fitness

Today we come under the umbrella of what could be classified as an environmental factor and zoom in on how sociocultural norms impact the why, what and how of engaging in physical activity for adolescents.

Specifically we 

• Define social and cultural influence (sociocultural)
• Discuss sociocultural influences differ between genders
•  Differentiate the gender based experience and how that can frame a narrative around physical activity
• Explore some ripple effects this narrative may have (participation rates, injury rates, resource allocation etc)
• Suggest some practical tools to help shift that narrative or overcome some obstacles preventing kids developing a consistent physical practice

This episode is not to define a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of doing things, nor to develop a prescriptive practice. It is to provide information, in context, so that parents, policy makers and professionals can increase awareness and sensitivity to enable maximum positive impact on the populations of kids they work with

Referenced Study:

• Toward Cultural Praxis and Cultural Sensitivity: Strategies for Self-Reflexive Sport Psychology Practice

The mission of the Fitness in Youth podcast is to;

• Explore new ways to help make youth fitness a priority, fun, and for them
• Empower parents, policy makers and professionals with the tools to help their communities, today
• Elevate the intentions of the health & fitness industry, for the better (long-term)

About the hosts:

• James Fitzgerald - OPEX Fitness
  • James FitzGerald is the founder of OPEX (Formerly OPT) and The International Center for Fitness. When not coaching, he’s a full time husband, father and fitness athlete. His 20+ years of experience and service as a strength coach/technician, tireless practice on refining energy system work, nutritional and lifestyle balancing techniques and training of other coaches has made OPEX a sought after method of bringing fitness to a higher order.
• Dan Young - YOUNGTraining
  • Formerly a professional water polo player, Dan found an insatiable thirst for knowledge on how he could align and optimize behaviors to improve his performance as an athlete. This lead him to make the transition from athlete to coach and pay forward the knowledge and tools he acquired working under some of the industries best. His passion is working with the youth, to give them the tools to navigate their health long term and in so doing, change the landscape of the fitness industr...