Perceptions and Stereotypes of Aerobics

Exercise means to do a physical activity for the improvement of health and the body. In an over expanding society, this word has been viewed in various lights especially when it is combined with the word cult. The question being asked by society is: is the tribe mentality in the exercise comunity good? Some may argue that being in a supportive group is an essential element of a good exercise program. While there might be reason to believe that, a tribal mentality should not be accepted in the exercise community because it brings antagonistic attitudes and cult-like manners to a certain group.

The institutional level of Figueroa’s framework level examines the institutions within society that affect sport and physical activity. Institutions such as schools, community groups, sporting clubs, and religious groups are able to help shape positive attitudes to sport and physical activity. Schools feature prominently when discussing how people’s early attitudes towards sport are shaped.

Australia is widely regarded as both characterised and united by sport. Sport has an elevated place in Australia's official and popular national culture, and the country’s reputation for being a 'paradise of sport' has become a largely unquestioned aspect of the Australian way of life. Gender is a social construct that outlines the roles, behaviours, characteristics and actions that a specific society deems appropriate for men and women (WHO, 2014). The established relationship between gender equality and sport is a widely regarded issue in not only Australia, but all around the world. Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including sport and physical recreation

Figueroa’s Framework for Examining Equity and Access in Sport and Physical Activity in Australian Society

For example, is it realistic to expect that a teenager living on a remote cattle station will have the same access to surfing as another teenager living in a coastal town? While some barriers, such as distance, cannot easily be overcome, many barriers that relate to people’s beliefs and attitudes about sport and physical activity can be removed. The study of equity and access in sport is primarily about reducing and removing the unreasonable and irrelevant barriers to participation—such as discrimination, prejudices and stereotyping. This may require a shift in current attitudes.

Upon analysing equity and access in sport, it is important that I am aware of what levels of the framework have influenced my sport participation. In Queensland especially, the sport of AFL comes with primarily negative connotations. These preconceived notions about the sport and the cultural have had a negative effect on my participation and approach towards the sport. Gender stereotypes have also been a deterrent in my participation. Sports, such as AFL, require participants to be competitive, courageous, powerful and strong. These qualities are largely associated with male gender stereotypes. Sport reinforces hegemonic masculinity by celebrating stereotypically masculine and activities and attributes, and restricting the behaviour of women.

Chalabaev, A., Sarrazin, P., Fontayne, P., Boiché, J., & Clément-Guillotin, C. (2013). The influence of sex stereotypes and gender roles on participation and performance in sport and exercise: Review and future directions. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14(2), 136-144.

Sociologist Peter Figueroa created a framework in order to analyse racism within society, and particularly to determine the equitable and accessibility within a physical activity (Hede, Russell and Weatherby, 2010). Figueroa’s Framework is an exceptionally useful and educational tool that is utilised in order to understand the socio-cultural factors that impact sports participation as an individual or in a team. Consisting of a five layer structure, Figueroa’s Framework includes the cultural, structural, institutional, interpersonal and individual levels which all umbrella their own factors of accessibility and equitability.

Figueroa’s framework is identified to be a tool used to help investigate the issues surrounding equity, equality in sport and in general physical activity. Figueroa’s framework is constructed over 5 different areas which are all used to investigate ways in which inequities challenge the area of sport and physical activity. All of the levels connect and contribute to shaping the overall joint effect. They show the different functions that reinforce, create, remove and eliminate barriers within a sport.

According to the Australian Government Department of Health it is essential for your health and wellbeing to be physically active and limit sedentary behaviour in children, adolescence and adults. Those whom decrease sedentary behaviour through physical activity are more likely to improve their health and live an active lifestyle (Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour, 2014). As a nation, we all live and breathe sport whether that be Australian Football League (AFL), Soccer, National Rugby League (NRL), Cricket, Netball and so forth. Each individual has participated in physical education or taken part in a sport or physical activity. People see sport and physical activity pronominally as sport and physical activity although there is more to it. There are three main learning approaches that are somewhat similar but are often confused when teaching a sporting session. It is important to have a better understanding of these learning methods which are technical, tactical and organisational but are most commonly known as Traditional, Game Sense and Sport Education.

In “Fitness Culture: A Growing Trend in America” Sheila McClain succinctly describes the rapid growth of exercise as a part of American culture. McClain states that “Fitness club membership, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), jumped from 20 million in 1991 to over 40 million in 2006” (418). The author uses this statistic, in quick succession with many others, to emphasize the empirical evidence supporting her claim; fitness culture is growing. McClain then begins by emphasizing many of the points with which we are already familiar, summarily: diet and exercise lead to longevity and health. She then piques curiosity in her question that states that everyone knows why they should exercise, and then leads her readers to the

Women are empowered, encouraged and even pressured into being involved in a sport or some type of fitness activities today; however, it hasn’t always been that way (Cahn 278). In the 1920s, also known as the “golden age” of sports, women and young girls faced obstacles such as rejection, gender discrimination, and stereotypes when showing interest in sports or fitness activities. One famous author named Susan Cahn, wrote a book called Coming on Strong: Gender and Sexuality in Twentieth-Century Women’s Sports, and focuses on the decades between the 1920s and the 1960s. For most of the 19th century, females were accused of causing a great deal of danger to the moral and physical areas of masculinity. Through the research of multiple different aspects, such as media, appearance, and gender roles, Cahn puts together an idea and theme that athleticism is seen as a masculine trait because it was once constructed by society itself; which fortunately for the women, that idea can be changed. In the later centuries, Cahn writes about the progress of woman 's appearance in sports, however then describes the difference in respect, attention throughout media, opportunities and wages between men and women. Through both primary sources such as newspapers, interviews, and journals, as well as secondary sources like relevant literature, Cahn writes her book in a historical non-fiction genre. After reading Coming on Strong: Gender and Sexuality in Twentieth-Century Women’s Sports by Susan

This study reveals much about the attitudes that persist in society today regarding sport and gender. Early on, sport was created to serve men, evolving as a celebration of maleness, valuing strength, power, and competition. It idealized, promoted, and rewarded successful, elite athletes, established “the dream” as a professional career in sports, and viewed mass participation in sport as a tool to weed out the weak (Hill, 1993). In contrast, women’s sports originated to “address the expressed need for healthful exercise” (Huckaby, 1994). Unlike the competitive warrior mode

Sport sociology examines sports as a part of cultural and social life, and adds a different dimension and perspective to the study of sport and exercise. More specifically, sport sociology examines the relationship between sports and society and seeks answers to many issues and questions regarding sport and culture. Sociology of sport poses critical and controversial issues; additionally, sports are considered a microcosm of society, the same social issues that exist in larger society also exist in sport culture. I have chosen eight peer-reviewed Sociological Journals to expand upon the understanding of this topic that I found to be the most relevant and offer diverse yet complete perspectives on sports.

Examine a current physical activity, event, trend or issue and its impact on New Zealand society: