Norrito Alessio, Todorova Yvanna
Faculty of Business & Law, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom.
School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
Front Sports Act Living. 2025 Aug 21;7:1642492. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1642492. eCollection 2025.
The climate crisis necessitates innovative approaches to foster ecological emotions and motivate pro-environmental action, particularly among young people. This conceptual paper explores how the Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) sector can more effectively address this challenge by drawing insights from game design theories. We propose the Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics (MDA) framework, as a heuristic tool for intentionally designing SDP interventions. By starting with desired ecological emotions (Aesthetics), practitioners can shape play-based interactions (Dynamics) through carefully chosen rules and resources (Mechanics). This approach aims to cultivate deeper environmental empathy and encourage climate action by structuring embodied experiences within SDP. We theorize and explain how SDP can be designed to be an imaginative space of learning. In doing so, the paper addresses a significant necessity of implementing SDP initiatives that foster climate action. Finally, we encourage researchers to cross disciplinary boundaries and adopt theoretical imagination in addressing rapidly evolving social challenges.
气候危机需要创新方法来培养生态情感并激发环保行动，尤其是在年轻人当中。这篇概念性论文探讨了体育促进发展与和平（SDP）部门如何通过借鉴游戏设计理论的见解来更有效地应对这一挑战。我们提出了机制-动态-美学（MDA）框架，作为一种有意设计SDP干预措施的启发式工具。通过从期望的生态情感（美学）入手，从业者可以通过精心选择的规则和资源（机制）来塑造基于游戏的互动（动态）。这种方法旨在通过在SDP中构建具身体验来培养更深层次的环境同理心并鼓励气候行动。我们从理论上阐述并解释了如何将SDP设计成一个富有想象力的学习空间。在此过程中，本文解决了实施促进气候行动的SDP倡议的一项重大必要性。最后，我们鼓励研究人员跨越学科界限并采用理论想象力来应对快速演变的社会挑战。
