The Role of Social Networks for Sport and Physical Activity

Dear Colleagues,

Our world is connected. Each person or organization is embedded in a network of social relations and interactions. Social networks constrain and facilitate social actions and processes. They provide access to resources and organize exchange, communication, and cooperation. Social norms affecting attitudes and behaviors are acquired in, and generated through, networks. As such, social networks also play a critical role for sport and physical activity. On a micro-level, sport- and health-related norms and values, but also the willingness to be physically active, are ‘transmitted’ from person to person in social networks. On a meso-level, physical activity programs in schools, sport clubs, or at the workplace depend on intra-organizational and inter-organizational networks. On a macro-level, physical activity promotion in neighborhoods, communities and regions can only provide comprehensive opportunities for sport and active living of all population groups if relevant organizations cooperate.

With this Special Issue, we aim to provide a platform for studies that focus on the role of social networks for sport and physical activity. Studies that apply formal methods of Social Network Analysis (SNA) and utilize qualitative methods of SNA, as well as reviews and methodological papers on the topic are welcome.

PD Dr. Hagen Wäsche
Dr. Annika Frahsa
Prof. Dr. Ansgar Thiel
Guest Editors

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