‘Sport & Exercise Pedagogy’. The case for a new integrative sub-discipline in the field of Sport & Exercise Sciences/Kinesiology/Human Movement Sciences

Abstract

The European Union Sport Unit has identified the societal and educational role of sport as a central topic in its new research agenda. It is argued that European Union (EU) citizens should be supported to learn continuously across the life course. In the sport/physical activity (PA) context, the role of teachers, coaches and exercise instructors (among others) is pivotal to the delivery of this aspiration. Yet, in this paper, we argue that entrenched barriers between teaching, coaching and exercise instruction and the lack of a well-developed, integrative underpinning knowledge base centred on pedagogy are serious impediments. We suggest that the development of a new integrative subdiscipline in the Academy may help pedagogy, and pedagogy academics, to make a stronger contribution to addressing these barriers and gaps. ‘Sport & Exercise Pedagogy’ (SEP) is proposed as an education-based, boundary-crossing, multi/interdisciplinary area of study located in the field known variously as ‘Sport & Exercise Sciences’, ‘Kinesiology’ and ‘Human Movement Sciences’. SEP places individuals and their life course learning at its core. A new cross-border¹ policy initiative from the island of Ireland illustrates the potential for SEP to contribute to PA/public health agendas.

Keywords:

• Sport and Exercise Pedagogy
• Physical Activity and Health
• Life Course Learning
• Multidisciplinarity
• Integrative Knowledge
• Pedagogical Cases

Notes

1. Cross-border means it encompasses Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

2. Chambers and Prof. Deirdre Brennan are coconveners of this initiative on the island of Ireland.

3. This is an initiative of the Irish Sports Council. It aims to increase the number of people participating in sport, exercise and PA in Cork. In achieving this mission, it places particular focus on young people, teenage girls, women, people with disabilities, minority groups and older people.

4. UCC Sports Studies and Physical Education programme links with Community Associations, Sports Clubs to promote PA in the community

5. Based at the University of Limerick, the PEPAYS Research Centre aims to advance the physical and social well-being of Irish children and youth through the creation and dissemination of knowledge on physical education, PA, and youth sport that inform policy and practice.

6. The Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education initiative to recognise schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community.

7. The ROI–UK border is the boundary between the sovereign states of the ROI and the UK and Northern Ireland. It is also referred to as the Irish border or as the border. The border runs for a total of 360 km from Lough Foyle in the north-west of the island to Carlingford Lough in the north-east (on the Irish Sea). The only international land border in Ireland, it is inconspicuous and open by world standards, in common with many international borders in the EU.

8. Based on the WHO guidelines and the Institute of Public Health Community Profiling.

9. The WHO argues that although there is a lack of solid evidence base for the effect of public health interventions enough is known to justify action (Cavill et al., 2006). The AIAA responds to the latter by leading a ‘Made to Move’ initiative to demonstrate immediate action while also engaging in research and knowledge formation to develop a strong evidence based on public health interventions.