ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH04
Orthorexia Athletica (OA) is a relatively new condition that is yet to be formally recognised by the American Psychiatry Association (APA). OA is characterised by the compulsive use and abuse of healthy food and obsessive exercise. This paper reports on research that is directed towards sport and exercise professionals and providers who seek to support individuals to establish and maintain active and healthy lifestyles. As a sociological study, it advances knowledge pertaining to OA by exploring incidence of different behaviours and societal influences in both formal and informal sport; that is, sport participation occurring both within and beyond established sporting structures and organisations. Using the concept of healthism and Becker’s (1963) sequential model of kinds of deviance and recognising its limitations, this paper explores new possible hybrid models of deviant behaviours related to OA and healthism in formal and informal sport. Photo elicitation interviews with vignettes were conducted with nine participants who were regular exercisers. We constructed three different hybrid scenarios from the interview data and the theoretical approach: 1. Anna: The pure secret deviant, 2. John: The enjoyable semi-deviant, and 3. Maria: The healthy critical semi-deviant. These scenarios demonstrate the complexity of OA, particularly in informal sport. The participants are also shown to be highly reflective and critical in terms of (un)healthy behaviours. They were well informed about (Western) health and they were critical towards health information sources. The definitions of and boundaries between deviant and non-deviant behaviours related to exercise and eating seem to be notably fluid. However, we are now also witnessing these extreme behaviours and extreme self-surveillance being normalised among recreational exercisers and in informal sport participation. This adoption and/or alignment in behaviours points towards arguably interesting social and cultural tensions, in that recreational and/or informal sport contexts are often portrayed as contrasting to the elite and/or formal contexts that the norms have previously been associated with. In this regard our data prompts further exploration of the social and cultural influences shaping behaviours in different sport participation contexts. This paper demonstrates the need for more evidence-based foundations for targeted educational initiatives that focus on increasing awareness and understanding of eating and exercise disorders amongst key stakeholders, including participants who can be regarded as everyday exercisers. In evidencing the incidence of OA in participants engaging in both formal and informal sport, this research also calls for stakeholder engagement that goes beyond formal sporting structures and organisations.
Read CV Valeria VareaECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH04
Introduction Sports governing bodies, national and international policymakers have highlighted the need for greater access and opportunities for female coaches. Despite efforts, female coaches remain underrepresented and struggle with long-term career sustainability. The organisational mindset plays a key factor in retention. It directly shapes operational functioning. Therefore, a shift in mindset is necessary to drive meaningful structural change. This study explored female coaches’ perspectives on organisational strategies for improving retention and career sustainability. Methods Forty-four female coaches completed an online questionnaire covering demographics, experience, and organisational strategies to improve retention. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings. Results Results highlight key areas for improving support for female coaches. Top needs include individual support (75%), better hiring practices (65.91%), and equal pay (63.64%). Other priorities are access to coaching courses (59.09%), education for federation stakeholders (47.73%), and support for mothers (45.45%). Policies on sexism (36.36%) and harassment (31.82%), along with diversity education for players (29.55%), were also emphasised. Discussion Governance structures and policies impact coaching environment, opportunities, support and are important in addressing systemic barriers for female coaches. This study did not include a description of support, but previous research has highlighted that support must be tailored to each individual’s needs and with acknowledgement of both overlapping and unique challenges. HR are key role players who can restructure hiring practices, ensure equal compensation and begin the process of educating and training all organisation employees in factors related to creating safe and welcoming spaces for female coaches. This should be accompanied by practical and relevant policies for safeguarding of female coaches. Opportunities and investment of upskilling of female coaches also require attention. Additional training costs can often hinder female coaches continued professional development. Support for coaches who are mothers reflects the broader societal challenge of balancing professional and caregiving responsibilities. Implementing family-friendly policies, such as flexible scheduling and childcare support, could make coaching a more viable and attractive career path. Diversity education for players offers a proactive way to shift cultural norms within teams, fostering respect and inclusion from the ground up. Federations can empower female coaches with the skills and confidence needed to thrive, while also educating decision-makers on the value of gender diversity in coaching roles. Implementing and acting on the identified strategies would ensure a comprehensive support system, increase career sustainability, valuing their expertise while simultaneously addressing structural barriers that hinder long-term retention.
Read CV Sanja EischenECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH04
Research on Sports and Leisure Activity Experiences of Immigrants and Refugees in Montreal, Canada Ozgider, C. 1, Koch, J. 2, Shaikh, S. H. 3 1 Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University; 2 McGill University; 3 University of Montreal Introduction Turkey currently hosts over 3.7 million refugees, making it one of the countries with the highest number of refugees globally [1] .It was argued that migration is a social phenomenon that has significant effects on the social structures, economies, and cultures of nations, causing major changes in society [2] Recent research indicates that participation in sports activities positively impacts the integration and peaceful coexistence of migrants and refugees in their newly resettled countries [3]. Canada has been accepting immigrants for many years and has implemented sports and recreation programs to aid in the integration of refugees and immigrants into society. Therefore, we aim to investigate individuals participating in leisure and sport activities could provide insight into their effectiveness in addressing the problems caused by Turkeys large migration flow. Methods 16 refugees/immigrants living in Montreal from various countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Denmark, Ghana, Iran, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Syria, and United States of America took part in semi-structured interviews. All participants were older than 18 years old and participating different sports and leisure activities in Montreal. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results The findings showed that there were three main themes: Lack of Time and Money to Attend Leisure and Sport Activities in Montreal, including the themes, paperwork for permanent residency, settling down, job search, cold weather. Feelings of Marginalization by Newcomers, including the themes, not feeling welcomed generally by locals, feeling more comfortable around racialized people, language barrier makes it difficult to communicate. Merging the French Courses with Leisure and Sports Activities. Conclusion The study reveals key challenges newcomers in Montreal face in leisure and sports, mainly due to time, financial constraints, and harsh winters. They feel unwelcome and alienated, often finding support within racialized communities due to language barriers. A solution could be combining language courses with leisure activities for better social interaction. Adapting this model in Turkey might involve incorporating cultural activities to create inclusive environments, easing newcomers social and economic burdens and aiding their integration. References 1. UN (2023) 2. Akkayan (1979) 3. Agergaard (2018) Note: This research study has been reviewed by the McGill University Research Ethics Board [REB protocol number 24-03-076] and is funded by Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Turkey
Read CV Can OzgiderECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH04