Speakers
Description
Background: “Tough it up”, “no pain no gain”, and “win-it-at-all-costs” are all phrases we have heard in sport, but what are the consequences of these messages? A substantial amount of literature, including Hughes and Coakley’s (1991) foundational research on the concept of conformity to the sport ethic norms, has suggested these expectations and normalizations are interlaced within the culture of sport. This conformity can impact athletes’ welfare causing them to engage in compromising behaviours such as overtraining, engaging in extreme weight controlling behaviours, acceptance of hazing practices, playing while injured, and using performance enhancement substances (Boudreault et al., 2021; Coker-Cranney et al., 2018; 2020; King et al., 2014; Waldron et al., 2011). Objective: The purpose of this research was to explore women athletes’ uncritical adherence to sport ethic norms and the influences on their conformity development. Method: Thirteen retired, competitive, women athletes participated in a one-to-two-hour online interview to discuss their experiences in sport. A constructivist paradigmatic approach and reflexive thematic analysis were utilized. Results: Athletes' uncritical willingness and self-sacrifice to the sport ethic norms was learned by the 3P's: people pleasing, peer modelling, and positive reinforcement. Discussion: Gaps in the literature, along with future directions and recommendations will be shared in an effort to contribute to the positive cultural shift in safeguarding sport. Conclusion: This study further highlights risk areas and vulnerabilities that are embedded within the culture of sport, which in turn is an important step in raising awareness and preventing harm in sport.
