title: Physical activity: an underestimated investment in human capital?
abstract: Despite the fact that physical activity is universally acknowledged to be an important part of healthy functioning and well-being, the full scope of its value is rarely appreciated. This article introduces a novel framework for understanding the relationships between physical activity (and specifically sport-related forms of physical activity) and different aspects of human development. It proposes that the outcomes of physical activity can be framed as differential 'capitals' that represent investments in domain-specific assets: Emotional, Financial, Individual, Intellectual, Physical, and Social. These investments, especially when made early in the life course, can yield significant rewards, both at that time and for years to come. The paper presents a new model-the Human Capital Model-that makes sense of these effects, outlines the different capitals, and briefly articulates the conditions necessary for the realization of Human Capital growth through physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sport, Dance, and Outdoor Education, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hillman
authors.forename: Shawn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arent
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petitpas
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015438:Health Behavior; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009043:Motor Activity; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011634:Public Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D013177:Sports