ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out to illustrate how figurational sociology can be used to understand the interconnections between sport, leisure and health which have become increasingly influential across sectors such as sport, education, local government and of course healthcare. It begins by addressing two of the core concepts in figurational sociology – interdependence and process – before considering how these ideas could/should be applied to the study of sport and health. It then briefly outlines how Elias’s central theory of civilizing processes can be used to develop a more holistic and sophisticated level of understanding of sport and health in contemporary societies. Finally the chapter examines three key areas in which figurational sociologists have so far applied the perspective to analyses of the interrelationship of sport and health: in relation to sport, pain and injury; the development of sport and health related policies; and studies of the implementation of specific sport and health interventions.
