Description
Book SynopsisTriathlons, such as the famously arduous Ironman Triathlon, and “extreme” mountain biking are prime examples of the new “lifestyle sports” that have grown in recent years from oddball pursuits into multi-million-dollar industries. Sociologist Stephen C. Poulson offers an exploration of these new and physically demanding sports, shedding light on why some people find them so compelling.
Trade Review"Poulson explores interesting, timely, and relevant questions about the nature of, and reasons for, participation in the sports of mountain-bike racing and triathlon in this engaging, persuasive, and extensively researched book." -- Belinda Wheaton * University of Waikato, New Zealand *
"This inventive treatment of the sociology of sport will interest outdoor enthusiasts as well as scholars … Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; general readers." * Choice *
"Poulson presents a comprehensive, thoughtful and well-researched critique of the emergence and transformation of lifestyle sports in the twenty-first century. His discussion of the rationales and motivations for engaging in such arduous physical activities is framed within the context of current theoretical discussions in the sociology of sport." * Contemporary Sociology *
"Stephen Poulson has written a persuasive and extensively researched book about lifestyle sport using mountain biking and triathlon as his main examples." * International Sociology Reviews *
"Poulson explores interesting, timely, and relevant questions about the nature of, and reasons for, participation in the sports of mountain-bike racing and triathlon in this engaging, persuasive, and extensively researched book." -- Belinda Wheaton * University of Waikato, New Zealand *
"This inventive treatment of the sociology of sport will interest outdoor enthusiasts as well as scholars … Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; general readers." * Choice *
"Poulson presents a comprehensive, thoughtful and well-researched critique of the emergence and transformation of lifestyle sports in the twenty-first century. His discussion of the rationales and motivations for engaging in such arduous physical activities is framed within the context of current theoretical discussions in the sociology of sport." * Contemporary Sociology *
"Stephen Poulson has written a persuasive and extensively researched book about lifestyle sport using mountain biking and triathlon as his main examples." * International Sociology Reviews *
Table of Contents Preface and AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Why Would Anyone Ride a Mountain Bike in the Middle of the Night?1 Social Life and Sport2 Looking for Adventure, Looking for Authenticity3 Disciplining Bodies in Lifestyle Sport4 Types of Lifestyle Athletes and Team Touch of Grey5 Resistance to Discipline in a Cycling Community6 Why So White? Race and Social Class in Lifestyle Sport7 Where Are the Women? Differing Levels of Participation in Lifestyle and Adventure Sport8 Conclusion Appendix: My Experience with Lifestyle Sport and Location of the Study Notes Index
