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Who is Your Sporting Hero?

University of Leicester's School of Psychology study investigates the connection between sports participation and celebrity role models.

Research currently being undertaken by the University of Leicester's School of Psychology is investigating the connection between sports participation and celebrity role models.

Researchers are looking for teenagers aged 16 to 19 to complete an online survey regarding their sporting practices and who they admire.

The research will look at exactly who young people nominate as their heroes and how these role models affect their own participation in sports.

As well as identifying participation habits and role models, the survey also looks at how people are motivated and measure success when they do sport.

After a recent national survey identified a significant decline in female sporting participation, this survey is seeking to investigate any link between this decline and a lack of female role models.

Researcher, Dr Liz Winter, from the University's School of Psychology, commented:

"It's going to be very interesting just to see what 1,000 people think of their sporting heroes. I haven't really got an idea of who will come out as the most popular.

"The main aspect of the study is to see who the role models are and how they influence one's feelings, attitude and involvement within sport."

The research is seeking young people between the ages of 16 and 19 to take part in the online survey found at: www.sportinghero.org.uk

It may make you think a bit about your sport and sporting heroes and will take approximately ten minutes to complete. Any contribution will help the researchers to answer vital questions about the importance of sporting heroes - whoever they may be.