Why do community-based athletes choose to participate in a modified, low-risk form of boxing? An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Paul Perkins, Allan HAHN, Richard KEEGAN, Irmani Collis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Over the past eight years a modified, low-risk form of boxing known as Box 'Tag has emerged in Australia. It has been designed to emphasise high levels of fitness, skill and personal enjoyment, while excluding those aspects of traditional boxing that have raised medical, ethical and legal concerns. Strikes to the head are prohibited, as are any impacts above a moderate level of force. Although uptake to date has been encouraging, a question remains as to whether Box 'Tag can be developed in a way that will lead to sustainable large-scale community participation. Presently, there are only a few exemplar clubs where Box 'Tag programs are being nducted. The purpose of the current study was to investigate, analyze and interpret one of these programs to discover the factors that have influenced a number of community-based athletes to have a two-year involvement with a modified, lowrisk form of boxing. This was accomplished by allowing the participants to recall their experiences free of any judgment and by making sense of their perceptions through an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Sustained participation in Box 'Tag appears to have resulted from a sense of belonging to a special community, strong coach-athlete relationships, perception that the training is purposeful and a focus on safety.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)60-69
Number of pages10
JournalQuest Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science
Volume2
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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