Here you will find more detailed information about the research that took place during the project. Also the methodology for identifying the 14 factors.
Methodology for identifying the 14 factors and the KYI framework
Work package 1 aimed to identify factors for preventing youth sport dropout (YSD) and provide a conceptual framework for understanding these factors. The work package consisted of a rapid review, grey literature search, and various project meetings used as consultation periods to refine, discuss and finalise work.
Framework Keep Youngsters Involved
Read more about the framework.
Rapid review of published literature
The project timeframe did not allow a systematic review to be conducted meaning a rapid review process was employed to search the published literature. Rapid reviews have emerged as a streamlined approach for gathering evidence in a timely manner (Khangura, Konnyu, Cushman, Grimshaw, & Moher, 2012). The KYI team decided to identify relevant review papers that contained information on the factors related to YSD. First, a research question was generated, “what factors are associated with sports dropout in youngsters aged between 12 and 19 years?” Following this, a search syntax was developed using relevant keywords and entered into relevant databases (EBSCOhost, Scopus, and PUBMED). The literature search was limited to review papers published in English and between 2000 and 2017. Two researchers assessed the title and abstract of the studies to determine if they satisfy the following criteria: i) review study; ii) focusing on youngsters aged 12 -19 years; and iii) examining factors associated with sports dropout. The rapid review of the published literature took five weeks to complete.
Grey literature search
In addition to the published literature search, the project required the collection of relevant grey literature from each of the partner countries. Alberani and colleagues (1990) define grey literature as non-conventional publications that include reports, university theses, bibliographies, and official documents that are not published commercially (Alberani, De Castro Pietrangeli, & Mazza, 1990). Due to the vast number of possible grey literature outlets, it was decided that the expertise of the partners would be used to search for relevant grey literature. Thus, members of the KYI team were asked to identify known grey literature in each of the partner countries that would support or add to the published literature findings. In order to collect the relevant information from each of the partner countries, a standardised collection tool was created. This collection tool was used to draw the key information from the grey literature identified, and ensured consistency for the collection of information across countries. In addition and most importantly, it allowed the project team to identify if the grey literature supported the published literature findings or added additional information.
Project meetings
Project partners attended four meetings and contributed to:
- the recognition of a conceptual framework;
- refining of factors identified from the literature (both published and grey);
- and the creation of good practice statements from the identified factors.
In addition, the work was presented during a symposium held at the thirteenth annual meeting of the World Health Organization HEPA Europe. This symposium was seen as an opportunity to gain feedback from a group of conference participants interested in the area of YSD. Critical feedback was gathered from the discussion generated and was used to inform future steps of the project.
Factors and actions to prevent dropout in youth sport: results of a rapid review and expert opinions
This ePoster was presented by Joey Murphy (University of Limerick) at the 7th International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress (ISPAH), held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in the heart of Westminster from 15-17 October 2018.
