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I just want to be me when I’m exercising: Adrianna’s construction of a vulnerable exercise identity

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posted on 2023-06-08, 17:46 authored by Hilde Rossing, Lars Tore Ronglan, Susie ScottSusie Scott
This study explores the social and dynamic aspects of the concept ‘exercise identity’. Previous research, mainly in psychology, has documented a link between exercise identity and exercise behaviour. However, the process of identity formation is not straightforward but rather something that can change with time, context and interaction with others. Subsequently, the present work is informed by a social constructivist approach that views exercise identity as a social product and the formation of it as a social process. Our case study of ‘Adrianna’ examined through a biographical narrative analysis how such an identity may be constructed through interaction and over the life course. Three themes were identified; Adrianna's relationship to (1) significant others, (2) her body and (3) sociocultural norms and expectations. Reflecting this fluidity of exercise identities, we suggest the alternative concept ‘vulnerable exercise identity’ to better understand the subtler dynamics of exercise identity formation and development. Adrianna's case is presented as a ‘recognizable story’, representative of the struggle many people face when trying to become more physically active in contemporary western societies.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Sport, Education and Society

ISSN

1357-3322

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Issue

3

Volume

21

Page range

339-355

Department affiliated with

  • Sociology and Criminology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2014-07-03

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-07-01

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-07-01

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