Capstone

Overview, Summary, Resources & References

A Whole Health Approach to Holistic Youth Athlete Development

This 1-minute video summarizes the needs assessment for a whole health approach to holistic youth athlete development.

Capstone Project Overview

M.S. Exercise & Sport Science Capstone Project: A Whole Health Approach to Holistic Youth Athlete Development.

Needs assessment for holistic youth athlete development indicates that optimal physical and mental wellness develop under conditions that include 5 whole health practices: 1. regular exercise & physical activity; 2. whole food nutrient consumption patters; 3. optimal sleep hygiene; 4. social and emotional learning/ sport psychology sills promotion; and 5. screen time and social media moderation.

Integrating these practices into youth sport environments is an essential consideration for youth sport practitioners who endeavor to optimize physical development and mental wellness among athletes.

Select each domain of health to view evidence-based recommendations and practical applications for coaches.

Whole Health Approach to Holistic Youth Athlete Development - Needs Assessment

NEEDS ASSESSMENT _ A WHOLE HEALTH APPROACH TO HOLISTIC YOUTH ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT.pdf

Click to view the Whole Health Approach to Holistic Youth Athlete Development Needs Assessment as a Google doc.

Health behaviors and health outcomes are inter-connected.

Health behaviors and health outcomes do not exist in a vacuum.

Each numbered block represents peer-reviewed articles identifying associations among health behaviors and health outcomes. Click here to view articles cited.

To optimize physical health, mental well-being, and performance, coaches should actively promote whole health behaviors.

Without proper sleep and nutrition, athletes' physical and mental health will suffer.

What health outcomes can youth sport practitioners target?

Physical health (vs obesity, injury)
Mental wellness (vs depression, anxiety)
Academic success (vs underachievement)
Abstinence from drugs (vs substance use)

What health behaviors can youth sport practitioners promote?

Physical activity
Whole food nutrition
Adequate sleep
Social & emotional skills
Screen moderation

Why should youth sport practitioners promote whole health behaviors?

Coaches can positively influence athletes' choices & decisions.
The same whole health behaviors that promote lifelong health and wellness also improve performance.

What whole health sport & physical activity initiatives have been successful?

Project Play

Ask kids what they want
- Hint: Kids think the "most fun" is "trying your best"
Reintroduce fee play
Encourage sport sampling
Revitalize in-town leagues
Develop small & more accessible play spaces
Design frameworks for long-term development
Train all coaches
Emphasize concussion & injury prevention

Social & Emotional Learning in Sport

Recommendations:

Build positive adult-youth relationships
Create a safe space that supports social and emotional skill development
Embody effective leadership strategies that emphasize effort, autonomy and learning
Prioritize and provide opportunities for direct skill building and practice
Model good character and decision-making
Seek opportunities for support, training and professional development
Engage with families, schools and other community organizations

Positive Youth Development

Positive youth development (PYD) in sport frameworks have led to:
- more opportunities for positive development among youth athletes,
- an increase in the positive affects youth athletes experienced throughout the program,
- an increase in parental support of the sport organization, and
- a shift in coaching philosophies that promote the PYD competencies: Caring, Character, Connection, Competence, and Confidence.

Boston Children's Hospital's fit kit

Boston Children's Hospital has developed a "fit kit"--is a collection of evidence-based strategies, tools, and activities to support families who want to develop healthier habits.

Target health behaviors are:
NUTRITION
FITNESS
SEDENTARY TIME
SLEEP &
STRESS

"The sport environment has been shown to be an effective place for youth development if sport programs are active and deliberate in their implementation of effective models that promote positive youth development."

Moore, M., Blom, L., Califano, K. et al. (2021). Redesigning a Youth Soccer Program: Holistic Development of Athletes. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 38, 409–421.

What do experts recommend?

International Olympic Committee

"Commit to the psychological development of resilient and adaptable athletes;"
"Coaches should seek interdisciplinary support and guidance in managing a youth athlete’s athletic development, fitness and health, and mental and social challenges and needs"
"Dietary education for young athletes should emphasise optimal eating patterns to support health, normal growth and sport participation demands, with emphasis on a balanced intake of nutrient-dense carbohydrates, high-quality protein and sufficient dietary calcium, vitamin D and iron ."
"Given the potential consequences of insufficient sleep on health, behaviour, attention, and learning and athletic performance, interventions... to support adequate sleep in youth athletes should be implemented."

Aspen Institute

"We need to bring sport into the health conversation and health into the sport conversation."

"We need to connect the silos in this disjointed space, where, unlike just about every other nation, we do not have a sports ministry or commission or other national-level entity to coordinate sport development for the public good."

Peer-reviewed research

Coaches can positively influence athletes' choices & decisions.
The same whole health behaviors that promote lifelong health and wellness also improve performance.
Explore the 100+ peer-reviewed articles cited throughout this project.

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