Changes in Sports Participation Trends: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis of the Case of the Municipality of Zaragoza
This paper seeks to test the explanatory potential of different sociological perspectives in relation to the development of new sport models that reflect the growth of leisure sport participation in urban outdoor places and the decline in traditional practices in associations and clubs. In this rega...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Celia Marcen Irela Arbones-Arque Dominic Malcolm |
| author_facet | Celia Marcen Irela Arbones-Arque Dominic Malcolm |
| author_sort | Celia Marcen |
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| description | This paper seeks to test the explanatory potential of different sociological perspectives in relation to the development of new sport models that reflect the growth of leisure sport participation in urban outdoor places and the decline in traditional practices in associations and clubs. In this regard, this study employs an analytical framework to examine global trends, with a particular focus on the specific context of the municipality of Zaragoza (Spain). With a multi-method approach, a 10-year-period dataset (2009–2019) incorporating sport participation surveys, observational data, and a focus group study is analysed. Three theories are tested: Maffesoli’s neo-tribes; neo-Bourdieuian ideas about urban subcultures; and Elias’s theory of civilizing processes. The results show a congruence between the three theories regarding identity negotiation, commodification, and community sense. However, disparities were found between the three theories, with one or more of them exhibiting an absence of class consciousness that supports subcultural interpretation and distinct notions of change versus continuity of the analyzed phenomena. This paper concludes that recent sports participation trends are best explained with reference to the quest of excitement and using healthism as a dominant ideology or social imperative. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-62ac37a99fbd4c4a9021d54c5ce3e7b1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0760 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-62ac37a99fbd4c4a9021d54c5ce3e7b12025-08-20T03:32:33ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602025-07-0114741810.3390/socsci14070418Changes in Sports Participation Trends: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis of the Case of the Municipality of ZaragozaCelia Marcen0Irela Arbones-Arque1Dominic Malcolm2Department of Psychology and Sociology, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, SpainInstitut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya, Universidad de Lleida, 25192 Lleida, SpainSchool of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UKThis paper seeks to test the explanatory potential of different sociological perspectives in relation to the development of new sport models that reflect the growth of leisure sport participation in urban outdoor places and the decline in traditional practices in associations and clubs. In this regard, this study employs an analytical framework to examine global trends, with a particular focus on the specific context of the municipality of Zaragoza (Spain). With a multi-method approach, a 10-year-period dataset (2009–2019) incorporating sport participation surveys, observational data, and a focus group study is analysed. Three theories are tested: Maffesoli’s neo-tribes; neo-Bourdieuian ideas about urban subcultures; and Elias’s theory of civilizing processes. The results show a congruence between the three theories regarding identity negotiation, commodification, and community sense. However, disparities were found between the three theories, with one or more of them exhibiting an absence of class consciousness that supports subcultural interpretation and distinct notions of change versus continuity of the analyzed phenomena. This paper concludes that recent sports participation trends are best explained with reference to the quest of excitement and using healthism as a dominant ideology or social imperative.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/7/418arousalcivilizing processeshealthleisureneo-tribesquest for excitement |
| spellingShingle | Celia Marcen Irela Arbones-Arque Dominic Malcolm Changes in Sports Participation Trends: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis of the Case of the Municipality of Zaragoza Social Sciences arousal civilizing processes health leisure neo-tribes quest for excitement |
| title | Changes in Sports Participation Trends: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis of the Case of the Municipality of Zaragoza |
| title_full | Changes in Sports Participation Trends: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis of the Case of the Municipality of Zaragoza |
| title_fullStr | Changes in Sports Participation Trends: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis of the Case of the Municipality of Zaragoza |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes in Sports Participation Trends: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis of the Case of the Municipality of Zaragoza |
| title_short | Changes in Sports Participation Trends: A Comparative Theoretical Analysis of the Case of the Municipality of Zaragoza |
| title_sort | changes in sports participation trends a comparative theoretical analysis of the case of the municipality of zaragoza |
| topic | arousal civilizing processes health leisure neo-tribes quest for excitement |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/7/418 |
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