week 6 - chapter 20 (physical actvity and sport issues)

Sport sociology

Studies sports as parts of social and cultural life

Why can sports be considered as violent

Because of the fast faced nature of certain sports as well as high emotions

Violence

Extreme examples of aggression

3 components of aggressive behaviours

1. Hostile aggression - goal is to injure another players and the intent to cause harm

2. Instrumental aggression - aggression with the goal of achieving an external award

3. Assertive behaviour - increased energy and energy expenditure with no anger or intent to harm

5 potential causes to aggressive behaviours in sport

1. Partners and coaches

2. Outcome of the contest and league standing

3. Point spread

4. Physical contact home vs away games + fan reaction

How can parents and coach encourage aggression in sports and what appropriate action should be taken

Many times they encourage aggressive behaviours without knowing it such as comments like that was a great fight etc

• aa - associate negative reactions to aggression

How can contest outcome encourage aggression in sports and what appropriate action should be taken

Most aggression occurs after losing since players feel frustrated

• aa - coaches need to refocus the teams effort into more productive channels such as new game plans etc

How can point spread encourage aggression in sports and what appropriate action should be taken

Larger the point spread, the more aggression occurs because they assume that the game is already a loss and a penalty wont affect the outcome

• aa - use it as an opportunity to try new plays that worked in practice

How can physical contact encourage aggression in sports and what appropriate action should be taken

Sports that already include physical contact, if a player believes the other person is purposefully trying to be harmful, it leads to greater aggression

• aa - coaches should encourage athletes to respond with increased efforts rather than aggressive acts

How can home vs away games and fan reaction encourage aggression in sports and what appropriate action should be taken

During away games, the crowd is typically unfriendly and hostile which may cause the visiting team to feel angry thus turn into aggression

• aa - learn how to tune out fan reaction and focus on the game plan instead

Hazing

Form of sexual harassment that causes physical, mental harms and anxieties that demeans, degrades or disgraces a person.

• it occurs as a part of an athletes initiation to a sports team (almost like a humiliation ritual)

Sports ethics

Cluster of norms that many individuals in power and performance have accepted as the definition of an athlete

4 norms of the sports ethics

1. Sacrificing for the game

2. Striving for distinction (constant improvement and pursuit of perfection)

3. Accepting risks and play through pain

4. Accepting no limit in the pursuit of possibilities

4 most common forms of sport deviance

1. Athlete recruitment - rules get bent to sign promising athletes

2. Academic cheating - typically caused by pressure to succeed

3. Cheating in games - to increase chance of victory typically done by modification of equipment

4. Performance enhancing drugs - are illegal and dangerous for health

6 examples of performance enhancing drugs and what they do

1. Amphetamines - increase muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure

2. Cocaine - used to conquer fears

3. Rectal injections - increase swimmers buoyancy

4. Alkaline - neutralize accumulation of acids in the bloodstream

5. Blood doping - replacing red cells to increase oxygen carrying capacity in blood

6. Beta adrenergic receptor - steadys hand, slows heart

Health side effects of performance enhancing drugs

Nervous tension, high blood pressure, premade balding, low sperm count, stunted growth, excessive body hair, gastrointestinal cramping, disruption of menstrual cycle

What was the prevailing attitude towards women and physical activity in the 19th century and early 20th century

• In the 19th century they were looked down upon, weren’t lady like even biking was considered indecent

• Later in the 19th century, sports like tennis, gold, badminton, skating, netball, gymnastics, swimming were possible because it didn’t threaten their relationship with men

• In the early 20th century, woman had to wear tight corsets, long sleeves, long dresses etc while playing sports , making it very difficult to play

What did the study in 1984 find about athletics in terms of males and females

• most post secondary schools, intramural were offered on a male only, female only, coed basis and most were only to men

• Men had greater participation in intramural

• Greater resources for male sports

• In intercollegiate sports, more programs were for men

How has the global woman’s rights movement lead to an increase in women’s participation in sport. What statements related to sport and physical education were included in the platform for action

They’ve spoken out for woman to be considered as equal around the world and put out statements on the office platform for action of the United Nations fourth world conference in Beijing in 1996.

• it called for new and increased efforts to provide sport and physical activity opportunities for woman

• New efforts to promote education, health and human rights for girls and women all over the globe

Race

Category of people who are regarded socially distinct due to genetic transmitted traits such as skin or hair color

Ethnicity

Cultural heritage of a specific group of people

• based on characteristics associated with traditions and background

Minority group

Sociological term that refers to a socially identified group of people who experience discrimination and suffer social disadvantage because of discrimination

How were black athletes treated in the states back in the 1900s

They were forced to play in negro leagues where there were fewer jobs, low pay and dangerous conditions.

• this was when discrimination on skin color was still legal

Who was the first black baseball player to play in the major leagues

Jackie Robinson on the Brooklyn dodgers

• was still heavily discriminated and sent death threats

• Had to stay in separate hotels

• Had to eat meals alone

Discrimination towards indigenous people of canada in sports

Main concerns focus on equity and cultural traditions

Equity

• lack of resources, facilities and support

• Isolation from events

• Limited coach opportunity

Cultural concerns

• focus on traditions and values of indigenous society and that sport should reflect those values

Arctic winter games

• goal is involves as many athletes as possible and provide a competitive exchange below the elite level of competition

• Highlights cultural programs that showcase unique skills and attributes of northern performers and artists

• Involves over 20 different sports

Factors that have led to the participation of disabled individuals in sports

• more awareness to disability in sport from terry fox and rick hansen

• The passing of Bill c-62 in 1986 allowing all federally regulated companies with over 100 employees to promote hiring of disabled individuals

• Increase of events being offered for disabled people now

Disability

Any previous or existing mental or physical disability, disfigurement and previous or existing dependence on alcohol or drugs

Gay discrimination in sport

Coming out as gay could lead to social status, family bonds and livelihood to be put at risk as professional sports were defined by male heterosexuals that were homophobic

Who was the first North American to say that he was gay

Dave kopay in 1975, he was a NFL football player

Gay games

Introduced in 1982 to enable gay athletes to participate in their own cultural defined sports and athletics

Why is it only recently that older people have began participating in sports

Theres been an increase in older aged population. They see sports as social activities and are only interested in making participation inclusive.

2 characteristics of sport among older athletes

They dont involve intimidation, use of physical force and the risk of physical injuries

• activites include power walking, gymnastics, hiking, weight training, etc

• Focuses on health rather than personal goals

4 physical activity and sport trends

1. Health and fitness concerns - emphasis on illness prevention and wellness movement

2. Groups seeking alternative sports - unique sports outside of typical varsity teams such as snowboarding, rock climbing etc

3. Spectator and spectator sports - increase of people watching sports rather than participating, this causes obesity rates to increase (60% of canada is overweight or obese)

4. Virtual sports - easier way of participating in sports and recruits new fans although lowers actual physical participation