There is developing interest in the use of sporting settings as a channel to connect people to health improvement services and an emerging body of research highlights football as being associated with positive motivational and social elements that support the maintenance of a physically active lifestyle. This text provides insights into a range of issues surrounding the role of football as a vehicle for health improvement for different groups.
The contributors to this volume share some of the challenges and the benefits of using professional football settings as a channel for connecting...

It is a common assumption that sport is good for us and that participation in sport embodies public health benefits. With sport being increasingly used to deliver public health interventions worldwide, this book critically examines the rationale and evidence for sport as a public health policy tool. Featuring contributions from the UK, USA, Europe and Australia, it sheds new light on an emerging field of research which has significant implications for public health across the globe.

Each chapter looks at the effectiveness of sport interventions across the lifespan for biological,...