In a scientific effort to understand the reasons for low physical-activity levels among children, there is a need to consider how children perceive and interact with their complex environments holistically. This study outlines an image of the perceived landscape within which children in two lower-socioeconomic contexts engage in daily physical activity. By applying bioecological perspectives (Bronfenbrenner, U. 2005. Making human Beings human: Bioecological perspectives on human development. SAGE), the aim included an analysis of how the perceived landscape and its interrelated factors influence children’s physical activity. We used 15 focus-group interviews with children (n = 63, ages 8–13) from four different rural and suburban areas of southern and central Sweden. Through analyzing the children’s stories about their experiences of everyday physical activity from a bioecological perspective, an image of a complex landscape was revealed. Structural (schools’ institutional frameworks), cultural (local sports cultures), and environmental factors (e.g. schoolyard design) were evident in interpersonal relations within the microsystem and interacted with personal characteristics, primarily gender and level of physical competence and, thereby, affected the possibilities of the children engaging in proximal processes related to physical activity. This study contributes new qualitative understanding based on children’s voices about how the performance of daily physical activity among younger children (ages 7–13) in lower-socioeconomic areas may be considered an interactional process between individuals and their perceived environment, which can be thought of as a multidimensional landscape. Implications include actions which contribute to more diverse environments enabling proximal processes among a broader group of children.

As an attempt to reach physically inactive young people, especially girls, organized spontaneous sport (OSP) was implemented as a part of the state programme 'The Sports Lift' (2010). Projects, however, tended to primarily attract physically active boys rather than the actual target group. This problem calls for a qualitative approach to gain further knowledge about the interplay within the activities. Accordingly, this study aims to examine young people's experiences of OSP activities with focus on participation, leadership and determining processes. To fulfil this purpose, a case study design was implemented. Data were collected through observations (pilot study) and semi-structured interviews with participants. The theoretical point of departure is developmental ecology, emphasizing the individual's interaction with the multilevel environment. Results show that OSP is experienced as different from conventional organized sport. Further, the domination of boys is made possible through upholding the masculine sports norm, which is actualized within determining processes.

Few intervention programmes focussing on increasing physical activity among children have been successful long term. It has also become increasingly common among scholars as well as politicians to advocate for organisations within a field to 'join up' to tackle social challenges. Research indicates that collaborative processes may entail challenges in implementing programmes informed by high quality knowledge. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine partner organisations' conceptions about objectives of an alternative sports programme, how such objectives are meant to be achieved, and how such conceptions may affect children's development of a physically active lifestyle. Qualitative content analysis revealed three underlying lines of thought regarding alternative activities for children, as follows: they should increase the member base through modifications; they should awaken the inherent desire to move through targeting motor skills; and they should transform sports clubs by providing an exercise arena. The article discusses how activities fail to consider children's predisposing factors and what implications this has for the work of promoting children's physical activity. Finally, we suggest that partnerships would benefit from applying a multi-leveled ecological model when designing programmes.