A mixed-methods study for understanding the motives of trans persons’ participation in leisure-time physical activity and sport

Bibliographic Data

ID11436588
AuthorsElena López-Cañada (0000-0002-0129-523X, Universitat de València), Sofía Pereira-García (0000-0002-8401-1772, Universitat de València), Víctor Pérez-Samaniego (0000-0001-9538-3793, Universitat de València), Alexandra Valencia-Peris (Universitat de València), Alexandra Valencia Peris (0000-0002-2031-9743, Universitat de València, corresponding author), José Devís-Devís, José Devís Devís (0000-0003-4599-3782, Universitat de València)
Year2026
Volume45
Issue1
Pages148-163
Publication date2026-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueLeisure Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0261-4367 • E-ISSN: 1466-4496
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02614367.2024.2379432
OpenAlexW4400950707
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited38

The primary objective of this mixed-methods study was to identify andcomprehensively understand the motives that drive trans people toengage in leisure-time physical activities and sports (LTPAS). In the quan-titative phase, face-to-face surveys were administered to 155 Spanishtrans persons [64 women (TW), 84 men (TM), and 7 non-conforming binarygender participants (NBG)]. The qualitative phase included 43 semi-structured interviews (21 TW, 17 TM, and 5 NBG). The fieldwork wascarried out between 2012 and 2015. The most prominent motive was 'todo physical exercise' while the least important was 'to enjoy competing'.TM and NBG persons expressed higher levels than TW in motives such as'to reaffirm my gender identity', 'to do physical exercise', 'to enjoy doingsport', and 'to increase my musculature'. Additional extrinsic ('appearanceand body image') and intrinsic motives ('pleasure of body exertion') wereidentified in the qualitative phase. Extrinsic and the relationship betweenintrinsic-extrinsic motives highlight the importance of gender reaffirmingembodiment among the participants. These findings have the potential toraise awareness and sensitise professionals, policymakers, and society atlarge to promote greater involvement and more fulfilling experiences fortrans persons in LTPAS

Leisure activity · Leisure studies · Leisure time · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Political science · Recreation · Social science · Sociology · Sociology of leisure · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Social Psychology · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts

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