The Scandinavian and Nordic countries have some of the highest participation rates in sport and physical activity in the world and are therefore important case studies across a range of subjects, from sport policy to physical activity and health. This is the first book to bring together studies of all those countries in one volume, examining sport, physical activity and exercise, and exploring the factors behind such high levels of participation. Rich in empirical data, the book examines trends in sports participation, organisation and policy in each of the constituent countries, highlighting common themes and outcomes.This is a valuable resource for students, researchers and academics working in the fields of sport, physical education, leisure, sport policy, sport development, the sociology of sport, and physical activity and health.

Ken Green is Professor of Sociology of Physical Education and Youth Sport and Head of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Chester, UK. He is also Visiting Professor at Innland University of Applied Sciences, Norway and Editor-in-Chief of the European Physical Education Review. Ken's main research interests revolve around physical education and youth sport in the UK and Norway.Thorsteinn Sigurjónsson is Associate Professor of Sport at Innland University of Applied Sciences, Norway, and a former Head of Sport and Teacher of School Physical Education. His main research interests include children and orienteering.Eivind Åsrum Skille is Professor of Sports Sociology at Innland University of Applied Sciences, Norway and a Visiting Professor at UIT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway and the Russian International Olympic University, Russia. His research interests revolve around sports policy and politics, sports organisations and youth sport.