Poststructuralist Methodologies for Physical Activity Research

Drawing on the work of Foucault, Deleuze, and Latour, this book opens up a poststructuralist approach to sport, exercise, and dance research. It examines how to incorporate both articulable expression and visible material elements – theoretically and methodologically – to study the force of the moving body in practice.

This book employs critical concepts including the dispositive, assemblage, and actor network to interrogate and advance our understanding of theory and method in research of physical activity practice. It asks what a poststructuralist approach might mean, especially as it concerns themes such as the body in motion, physical activity practice, network of relations, knowledge, and power for physical cultural studies scholars. Presenting in-depth case studies of adult ballet, Barre, Pilates, coaching, ice-hockey, and cross-country running, this book also examines how researchers and practitioners can begin to collaborate to create innovative instruction, training, and coaching practices.

This is a fascinating reading for advanced students and researchers working in the physical cultural studies, sociology of sport and exercise, sociology of the body, sports coaching, physical education, or social theory.

Dr. Pirkko Markula is a Professor of Socio-cultural Studies of Physical Activity at the University of Alberta, Canada. Her research interests include poststructuralist analyses of dance, exercise, and sport using Foucault and Deleuze’s theory, (post)qualitative inquiry, and performance ethnography. She is also a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and a qualified Pilates instructor.

Dr. Jim Denison is a Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta, Canada. A sport sociologist and coach educator, his research explores the formation of coaches’ practices through a poststructuralist theory by Foucault and Latour. He was also the former director of the Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre (2010–2014).