Previous research has described the participation styles of children, youth and young adults in the settings of school physical education, free-gym sessions, university exercise classes, summer camps and out-of-school organized sports. This study described the participation styles of women and men enrolled in an adult fitness program.
Method:
Primary participants were 90 female and 37 male senior adults (aged 50 to 94 years) who regularly attended the 10-week adult fitness program. Secondary participants were three course instructors and eight practicum undergraduate students who served as co-instructors. Data were collected through nonparticipant observation, informal discussions before/after classes, unstructured questionnaires, focus group interviews, and document analysis.
Analysis/Results:
Six participation styles were identified using standard interpretive methods. Sticklers came to class on time, followed instructions exactly as demonstrated, and left the class. “If you scratch your nose, they’ll scratch their nose with you.” (interview) Adapters did the minimal due to health issues or physical limitations. “Instead of standard sit-ups, Alice lay on her back and lifted her leg up one at a time.” (observation) Enthusiasts arrived at the facility early, challenged themselves by adding more weights or doing extra reps, and stayed after class to do additional exercises. “Not enough. I need more. I usually walk before class, but I didn’t come in early this morning.” (discussion) Busybodies spent more time talking than doing the exercises, and they were easily distracted by the environment. “Somebody drove up in a Maserati and they went ‘What is that? A Maserati?’” (observation) Chatterboxes enjoyed talking so much that moving mouth was the only exercise they did in class. “A group of chatterboxes stood in the middle of the pool talking and the rest of the class traveled around them.” (observation) Freestylers came in and left the facility anytime they wished and did whatever they wanted in class. “David came in and swam laps at 7:15 . . . David left the pool at 7:38.” (observation)
Conclusions:
Unlike previous studies that focused heavily on the skill development of the participants, this adult fitness program was designed to help senior adults improve and maintain their ability to perform functional activities of daily living. Those were the sticklers, adapters, enthusiasts, and freestylers. Just as important as the physical benefits, the social aspect was another selling point of the program. Busybodies and chatterboxes used this program as a social outlet due to retirement or loss of family members.