From Theory to Practice: Re-Examining Core Postulates of the Developmental Model of Sport Participation 25 Years After Its Inception

=22) with youth sport participants ages 6 to 18 in the United States. Group comparisons were conducted across levels of individual and family characteristics to determine whether there were significant differences in athletes' sport involvement, contexts of participation, time engaged, and family spending. Although athletes were more likely to engage in practice over play, unstructured play decreased with age whereas structured practice increased with age. The most highly invested athletes were engaged in more sports and contexts than less invested athletes. Multiple individual, family, and community factors seemed to shape athletes' patterns of sport participation. Moving forward, engaging the broadest range of athletes, families, organizations, and communities in research has the potential to create a more positive and sustainable sports culture for athletes of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.