"SPORTS ARE FUN": A Guide for the Discussion of Sport-Related Films.

Sport participation is an important part of the development of children and adolescents in the United States. Due to the popularity of sport-related films, coaches, athletic trainers, and parents have used these films to both educate and motivate pediatric athletes. The objective of this study was to develop a discussion guide template based on common positive and negative themes depicted in sport-related films, and demonstrate the application of this discussion guide template to a select number of sport-related films released from 2014 to 2018. A discussion guide template ("SPORTS ARE FUN") was developed by the co-investigators, reflecting common themes of "Sportsmanship, Participation for All, Obstacles, Relationships, Teamwork, Setting Realistic Goals, Academics, Responsibility, Exercise/Nutrition/Rest/Drugs/Performance Enhancing Drugs, Fun, Unrelenting Spirit, and "No Pain, No Gain." The authors hope that pediatric health care providers, athletic coaches/staff, and parents can utilize this discussion guide template in the education and development of children and adolescents who participate in sports.

Positive and Negative Themes Found in Sport-Related Films.

Sport participation is an important part of the development of children and adolescents in the United States. The objective of this study was to determine positive and negative themes found in a selected number of sport-related films. A total of 44 sport-related films were independently viewed and analyzed by four reviewers. The most common sports depicted were baseball (27%) and football (25%). The most common positive themes were positive interactions with the coach, positive interactions with family and friends, and positive interactions with teammates (2.04, 1.42, 1.2 mean events per hour). The most common negative themes were taunting/fighting/poor sportsmanship, negative interactions with the coach, and drinking/smoking/drug use (2.13, 1.10, 0.94 mean events per hour). In conclusion, the coviewing of sport films among pediatric athletes and their coaches, athletic trainers, and/or parents in order to focus on "teachable moments" may encourage the acquisition and development of positive themes and the avoidance and de-emphasis of negative themes.