Two decades of youth sport policy research: A augmented scoping review and synthesis

Research question: This article addresses the need to develop a comprehensive understanding of research on the formation and content of youth sport policies by presenting a review of studies across the period from 2000 to 2020. The review examined the scale and scope of these studies, collective research findings, and theoretical and methodological approaches utilised. Research methods: Compatible approaches to research synthesis were utilised, with scoping review methods supporting both searching within 31 relevant journals and the creation of a definition of youth sport policy research by which inclusion/exclusion of articles was determined. Scoping review techniques augmented by those of ‘meta-study’ were used to analyse the 71 articles that were identified through the review. Results and Findings: Youth sport policy research was dominated by studies in Europe and North America. There was also a predominance of qualitative methods, with studies being collectively limited in their utilisation of theory. 44% of studies examined policies focused on schools, with similar proportions (between 17%-20%) addressing policies for welfare and safeguarding, community-based participation, and high performance sport. Youth sport policy goals were often found to overlap and be influenced by other policy agendas, with health being a prominent policy concern. Implications: Besides the need for a wider geographical spread, improved theoretical underpinning and expanding quantitative methods should be priorities for future youth sport policy research. Extending normative analysis and study of democracy and inclusion in youth sport policy-making should also be pursued, especially as young people appear commonly excluded from these processes.