Taking a Health Perspective on Roller Derby: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences
Although far fewer women exercise regularly than men, one women-dominated sport growing in popularity internationally is roller derby. A limited number of predominantly US-based and qualitative studies have explored roller derby. This Scotland-based qualitative study explored reasons for women start...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Women |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/2/1/2 |
| _version_ | 1797440690236424192 |
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| author | Jane Scullion Cathy Bulley |
| author_facet | Jane Scullion Cathy Bulley |
| author_sort | Jane Scullion |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although far fewer women exercise regularly than men, one women-dominated sport growing in popularity internationally is roller derby. A limited number of predominantly US-based and qualitative studies have explored roller derby. This Scotland-based qualitative study explored reasons for women starting, continuing, and stopping participation in roller derby in order to inform people involved in promoting physical activity for health benefits. Semi-structured interviews with six participants from a Scottish women’s roller derby league were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis generated five super-ordinate themes. Most participants learned about roller derby from watching the sport on film, attending a bout (game), or word of mouth. The main motivators and benefits of participating in this sport were found to be challenge, enjoyment, increased confidence, health benefits, and motivation to exercise. Participants were empowered by involvement and motivated by community, team spirit, and support to develop. Despite high commitment, some women could not sustain team involvement due to barriers such as injury, changing life roles, and conflicting commitments—a lack of support was described when this happened. Greater inclusivity is needed to enable changing levels of participation as women’s commitments change, to facilitate ongoing health benefits and inspire others. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:13:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-989bd9a6f7c14f96a99b361ac070b32e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-4184 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:13:01Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Women |
| spelling | doaj.art-989bd9a6f7c14f96a99b361ac070b32e2023-11-30T22:50:28ZengMDPI AGWomen2673-41842022-01-0121152810.3390/women2010002Taking a Health Perspective on Roller Derby: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s ExperiencesJane Scullion0Cathy Bulley1School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (at Time of Study), Queen Margaret Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, East Lothian, UKSchool of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (at Time of Study), Queen Margaret Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, East Lothian, UKAlthough far fewer women exercise regularly than men, one women-dominated sport growing in popularity internationally is roller derby. A limited number of predominantly US-based and qualitative studies have explored roller derby. This Scotland-based qualitative study explored reasons for women starting, continuing, and stopping participation in roller derby in order to inform people involved in promoting physical activity for health benefits. Semi-structured interviews with six participants from a Scottish women’s roller derby league were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis generated five super-ordinate themes. Most participants learned about roller derby from watching the sport on film, attending a bout (game), or word of mouth. The main motivators and benefits of participating in this sport were found to be challenge, enjoyment, increased confidence, health benefits, and motivation to exercise. Participants were empowered by involvement and motivated by community, team spirit, and support to develop. Despite high commitment, some women could not sustain team involvement due to barriers such as injury, changing life roles, and conflicting commitments—a lack of support was described when this happened. Greater inclusivity is needed to enable changing levels of participation as women’s commitments change, to facilitate ongoing health benefits and inspire others.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/2/1/2healthwomenhealth promotionsportexerciseroller derby |
| spellingShingle | Jane Scullion Cathy Bulley Taking a Health Perspective on Roller Derby: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences Women health women health promotion sport exercise roller derby |
| title | Taking a Health Perspective on Roller Derby: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences |
| title_full | Taking a Health Perspective on Roller Derby: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences |
| title_fullStr | Taking a Health Perspective on Roller Derby: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Taking a Health Perspective on Roller Derby: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences |
| title_short | Taking a Health Perspective on Roller Derby: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences |
| title_sort | taking a health perspective on roller derby a qualitative exploration of women s experiences |
| topic | health women health promotion sport exercise roller derby |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/2/1/2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT janescullion takingahealthperspectiveonrollerderbyaqualitativeexplorationofwomensexperiences AT cathybulley takingahealthperspectiveonrollerderbyaqualitativeexplorationofwomensexperiences |