(In/Ex)clusive fitness cultures

An institutional ethnography of group exercise for older adults

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11201940
AutoresK Harvey (0000-0003-2117-6278, McMaster University, autor de correspondencia), Meridith Griffin (0000-0001-5475-7672, McMaster University)
Año2023
Volumen43
Número2
Páginas251-275
Fecha de publicación2023-02-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x21000507
OpenAlexW3153560470
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas54

Older adults benefit greatly from being physically active yet they are the least active generation. To appeal to older consumers, to reduce barriers older adults experience to becoming physically active and to increase the number of physically active older adults, the exercise market has been divided into mainstream fitness and age-segregated programming that specifically targets older adults. This research employed an institutional ethnography approach to understand better the social discourses and material practices that shape socially (in/ex)clusive physical cultures for older exercisers in both mainstream and older-adult group exercise classes. Textual analyses, interviews and field observations revealed that the material and discursive work practices intended to promote inclusivity in group exercise physical cultures actually engendered age-exclusive markets. Herein, we discuss how the guidelines and policies put forth by these certifying bodies, and the training curricula they publish, govern group exercise practices in a manner that tends to align with dominant ideological discourses conflating age and ability. We conclude by arguing that in order to create more inclusive physical cultures, mainstream fitness providers need to embrace options that appeal to potential group exercise consumers of all abilities, regardless of age

Appeal · Curriculum · Ethnography · Ideology · Mainstream · Pedagogy · Physical fitness · Physical therapy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Diversity and Impact of Dance · Gender Studies · Law · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sport Psychology and Performance · Gerontology