Empowering communities through sports: Exploring the impact of physical activity on social and economic development

Introduction: Community-based sports initiatives have gained recognition for fostering social cohesion and economic development. However, limited research has examined these impacts in developing regions. Objective: This study investigates the social and economic benefits of community sports init...

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Main Authors: Vevi Sunarti, Zaiful Netra, Ridha Husnul Hayati, Anggi Firmanjaya, Maizul Rahmizal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: FEADEF 2025-06-01
Series:Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación
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Online Access:https://revistaretos.org/index.php/retos/article/view/114511
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Summary:Introduction: Community-based sports initiatives have gained recognition for fostering social cohesion and economic development. However, limited research has examined these impacts in developing regions. Objective: This study investigates the social and economic benefits of community sports initiatives in Padang, Indonesia. Methodology: This study employs a quantitative cross-sectional design with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for rigorous empirical validation. There are 389 participants from 11 administrative districts in Padang involved in this study. Results: Findings indicate that sports participation significantly enhances social cohesion, civic engagement, and community identity, with variations based on demographic factors. Additionally, community sports contribute to local economic growth through direct business stimulation and long-term investment potential, though high-income participants perceive economic benefits more strongly. Discussion: The study extends existing literature by demonstrating that social cohesion mediates economic benefits, emphasizing the inter-connectedness of social and financial outcomes. Conclusions: It can be concluded that inclusive sports policies can maximize developmental benefits. Policymakers and urban planners should consider these insights when designing sports programs to ensure equitable social and economic advantages distribution.
ISSN:1579-1726
1988-2041