Exploring the provision and motives behind the adoption of health-promotion programmes in professional football clubs across four European countries

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 19;16(11):e0259458. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259458. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

This study mapped existing health-promotion provisions targeting adults in professional football clubs across England, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal, and explored motives behind the clubs' adoption of the European Fans in Training (EuroFIT) programme. We surveyed top-tier football clubs in the four countries and interviewed representatives from football clubs and the clubs' charitable foundation who delivered EuroFIT. The findings showed large between-country differences, with football clubs in England reporting far greater healthy lifestyle provision than other countries. Relatively few health-promotion programmes targeted adults, particularly in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Norway. Club representatives reported that the motives for adopting the EuroFIT programme often involved adhering to both the social objectives of the football club or club's foundation and business-related objectives. They viewed the scientific evidence and evaluation underpinning EuroFIT as helpful in demonstrating the value and potential future impact of both the programme and the clubs' wider corporate social responsibility provision.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diet, Healthy
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Football
  • Health Promotion*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Stakeholder Participation / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Telephone
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development, and demonstration under grant agreement number 602170.