Abstract
Background: Mainstream forms of media frequently portray wild or epic images of lifestyle sport activities showing the participants as modern-day gladiators. This research set out to explore how closely aligned these stereotypes are with individual experiences. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze factors which may contribute to a selected lifestyle sport activity becoming firmly rooted in an individual's life course. Methods: Data were collected through focus groups, individual interviews, lifeline method, and participant observation within focus groups. The sample included performance freeskiers, freestyle snowboard riders and instructors (N = 19). Grounded theory was used for analysis and interpretation of data. Results: Results from this research indicate traditional deterministic images of a sport career in freeskiing and freestyle snowboarding do not match the views and beliefs of the actual participants in these activities. Conclusions: The study examines the careers of long-term participants in freeskiing and freestyle snowboarding and extends existing knowledge of lifestyle sports through the implementation of the lifespan approach. Recommendations for future research include extending the analysis to include sports recently considered mainstream as the distinction (between mainstream and lifestyle sports) is becoming increasingly complicated.
Highlights
Throughout history humans have experienced the need for both intrinsic and extrinsic forms of motivation ranging from survival purposes to personal enjoyment in activity (Deci & Ryan, 2008). Johnson, Bolter, and Stoll (2014) build on the work of Ryan and Deci (2000) in self-determination theory, which suggests humans have three fundamental psychological needs that, if satisfied, are indicators of health and well-being
Dynamic view on the human life-course In addition to the variety of themes researched in the field of lifestyle sports (e.g. Rinehart, 2008; Rinehart & Sydnor, 2003; Thorpe, 2012; Wheaton, 2004, 2013) the primary focus of this study was devoted to the dynamics of career and life course, in response to Stebbins’ (2004, p. 20) “bringing out the fluidity of leisure and its plastic intersection of other aspects of life”
For Mia, an Olympic skier (24) a sport injury represented a critical life event leading to epiphany which was a catalyst for a major transition in her leisure career: I had done gymnastics for what feels like a thousand years before I got injured and my world collapsed
Summary
Throughout history humans have experienced the need for both intrinsic and extrinsic forms of motivation ranging from survival purposes to personal enjoyment in activity (Deci & Ryan, 2008). Johnson, Bolter, and Stoll (2014) build on the work of Ryan and Deci (2000) in self-determination theory, which suggests humans have three fundamental psychological needs that, if satisfied, are indicators of health and well-being. Johnson, Bolter, and Stoll (2014) build on the work of Ryan and Deci (2000) in self-determination theory, which suggests humans have three fundamental psychological needs that, if satisfied, are indicators of health and well-being. These needs are competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Results: Results from this research indicate traditional deterministic images of a sport career in freeskiing and freestyle snowboarding do not match the views and beliefs of the actual participants in these activities. Recommendations for future research include extending the analysis to include sports recently considered mainstream as the distinction (between mainstream and lifestyle sports) is becoming increasingly complicated
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