Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Youth Soccer Specialty Schools in China

Abstract

Abstract Youth soccer specialty schools are the primary project to strengthen the foundation of soccer talents, improve the level of soccer development, and achieve the dream of Chinese soccer. Taking 32775 soccer specialty schools in China as the research sample, ArcGIS spatial analysis technology is used to explore the spatial distribution characteristics of specialty schools and their influencing factors. The analysis shows that the overall layout of the country forms eight high-density core areas, the overall spatial distribution is aggregated, and the degree of aggregation is high, with significant differences between east and west. The influencing factors of specialty schools include nine factors within four dimensions: historical development, geographic environment, socio-economy, and educational resources. It was found that geographic environment and socio-economy provide the foundation and background for developing educational resources. However, the direct role of educational resources is more significant in a specific educational program, such as specialty schools, followed by socio-economy and geographic environment. This study provides a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of specialty schools' spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors. These results enrich the research on the spatial layout of sports, providing necessary theoretical support and practical references for the layout and high-quality development of related industries in China and other countries or regions.