Health promotion supporting a sport education in an upper secondary school in southern Sweden

Background: Previous research show that the health of pupils in sport education at upper secondary schools decreases. Contributing factors are competitiveness and professionalism in sport, and a health perspective is often neglected, hence the culture of sports often governs the organization. Approaches to sport education in schools with a focus on health promotion (HP) is necessary. Thus, the aim is to conceptualize a sport education with a health promotion perspective for upper secondary school level.

Method: The development process for the conceptualization was action oriented and lasted for two years with I)
initial planning II) pilot-testing and adjustment III) implementation. The planning was supported by interdisciplinarity
including an educational, a sport coaching, a strength and conditioning as well as a health promotion perspective
supported by science and professional experience.
Findings: The HP sport education started in 2018 and employs approximately 60 pupils in football, ice-hockey and swimming. The aim is to support pupils’ development of autonomy, empowerment, life-long learning, and health. The core is process-oriented sport-teaching and injury prevention supported by pupils’ influence, active participation and decision making, as well as reflection, learning and personal development. The curriculum-based assessment relates to
personal development. Admission is non-selective regarding sport and choice of school program. Collegial communication and reflection support the staff in their everyday practice.

Conclusions: HP in sport education is an innovative, promising but complex strategy and further research is needed. A four-year research project is thereby planned for and initiated.