Adolescent Withdrawal from Sport Participation: An Integrated Approach

Adolescent withdrawal from sport and physical activity continues to be an alarming problem with numerous physical, social, and psychological health implications. Previous approaches to the problem largely have examined external factors related to sport, and placed blame on adolescents for not adhering to the existing sport system and its norms and values. It is possible, however, that the existing sport offerings are also problematic for adolescents, contributing to their withdrawal. This review examines the adolescent development process and relates it to choices that adolescents make particularly about their sport participation, but also with regard to their physical activity participation as a whole. It is clear from this review that adolescents are in need of innovative sport programming that will provide exploration, flexibility, and fluidity. Such innovation will require interaction and input from adolescents themselves and those who interact with them on a daily basis. Suggestions for novel approaches are discussed.