Using the power of sport and physical activity (PA) as avenues for youth development, health and wellbeing, the International Research on Youth Sport, Physical Activity and Health (IRYSPAH) uses sport and PA-based Positive Youth Development (PYD) intervention programs to nurture youth life skill, various youth development outcomes, health and wellbeing.
The research focuses on international and cross-cultural dimensions of this line of work, with the goal of increasing access to less served youth and communities.
IRYSPAH runs a number of concurrent studies including:
- Effects of Sport-based Positive Youth Development programs on youth life skills and Entrepreneurship
- Collaborative Research on Youth Empowerment and Education: SMART Infrastructure and Mobility Innovations for Resilient Community Health
- Youth Physical Activity and Wellbeing (YPAW)
- 4) Speech Production and Physical Activity as Predictors of Emotional Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana and Tanzania
The research lab is directed by Dr. Leps Malete.
Mission
• Use sport and physical activity (PA) based Positive Youth Development (PYD) intervention programs to nurture youth life skill, various youth development outcomes, health, and well-being
• Test relevance and application of existing conceptual frameworks with underserved populations and develop context-specific approaches to advance international and cross-cultural research in youth sport and PA
• Increase access to evidenced based programming and research in sport and exercise psychology research for less served youth and communities – promote diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Make a case for the value of youth sport and PA to youth empowerment, health promotion and livelihoods in Africa
