Being Moved to Move: How the Social Context of Roller Derby Can Inform Physical Education

• In Event: Roundtable Session 25
  In Roundtable Session: Cooperative Learning, Constructivist Pedagogies, and Student Opportunities

Abstract

I explored women’s perceptions of the culture that was created in the physical activity space of roller derby and how the social context within this space moved women emotionally to move physically. Data were collected over three roller derby seasons (March to September) and included multiple informal conversations, semi-structured interviews, email interviews, and participant observation during practice sessions, games, and other team-related events (e.g., team meetings, fund raisers, parties). Findings describe how social practices within the physical activity space of roller derby empowered a diverse group of women to consistently and persistently engage in high-intensity physical activity that entailed high rates of failure and required moderate levels of health and skill-related fitness.

Author

• Amy Tischler, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse