Sport Sociology
Subject Areas : Social science studies in sports
Ahmadreza Movahedi
1
(Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.)
Keywords: Sociology, Sport, Physical Activity,
Abstract :
Sociology of sport is considered as one of the sub-disciplines of sociology. Sport, as a social phenomenon, could be studied in the field of sociology. Sociology of sport aims to discuss the relationship and interaction of people, sport, and physical activity. Athletes who compete or train athlete who competes different sports, and non-athletes who involve themselves in sports and physical activity for health related physical fitness purposes, could be included and studied by the field of sport sociology. Social structures, Social patterns, organizations and socio-cultural groups related to sports fall into the field of sports sociology. There is no doubt that in today's world, sport has both direct and indirect impact on economy and culture of a society. This is why the sport related economy and culture need to be studied by the field of sociology of sport.The origins of sociology of sport date back to the end of the nineteenth century, when the effect of sports competition on groups and society was discussed and examined. Subsequently, sport and games were considered as basic and essential pillars for the creation of culture. The mentioned notion led to the emergence and development of the sociology of sport, so that in 1970, the sociology of sport was considered as an organized field of study, and for the first time, in 1978, the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport was formed with the aim of studying the field. These efforts led to the publication of the "Journal of Sports Sociology".Socialization in sport and through sport is the most important issue in the field of sport sociology. Other topics and areas related to sports sociology include: sports and national identity, globalization and sports competitions, media and professional sports, competitive sports and society, immigration and sports, commercialization of sports, violence and sports, gender and sports, and race (ethnicity) and sports, and sports and drug abuse.Research journals have been developed around the world to study topics related to the field of sports sociology. The most important journals are International Review for the Sociology of Sport (UK, Sage Publications), Sociology of Sport Journal (USA, Human Kinetics Publications), Research in the Sociology of Sport (UK, Emerlad Publications), and Sport in Society (UK, Taylor & Francis Publications).In Iran, research journals of sport sciences have been published, and maximum effort has been made to publish journals in specialized fields of sport sciences including sports physiology, sports injuries, motor behavior, sports management, etc. In the meantime, the need to a research journal that publishes studies related to interdisciplinary topics in sociology, sports and physical activity is quite apparent. The Journal of Strategic Sociological Studies in Sports will address this gap.
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