The Convergence of Sport and Environmental Protection : A Social Constructivist Perspective on Sustainable Sport Plogging

Objectives This study analyzed plogging as a sustainable sport from a social constructivist perspective. Methods We examined the relationship between sports and environmental protection and analyzed the factors that make plogging a sustainable sport through a social constructivist perspective, thereby discussing its social significance as a sport. Results The specific details are as follows. Conclusions First, plogging, which is the result of the fusion of environmental protection and sports, has developed by promoting ‘physical activity’ and ‘health maintenance’. It has changed from ‘exercise for environmental protection’ to ‘sports with competitive elements’ by inducing competition among participants over the amount of trash collected. Plogging shows that plogging can promote greater social change beyond simple exercise, as it allows people to recognize the seriousness of environmental pollution and change their lifestyle, eating habits, and even disposable product usage habits. Second, people who participate in plogging experience the importance of environmental protection through physical activity and form collective knowledge by sharing their experiences. It provides a social experience where many participants cooperate for a common goal, and participants form a new understanding of environmental issues through plogging, which is in line with the role of social interaction emphasized by social constructivism.