Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

"I'D Rather Dance Outside": A Phenomenological Examination Of Youth Experiences In Outdoor, Noncompetitive Physical Activity, Richard W. Christiana, Marsha Davis, Melissa Freeman

The Qualitative Report

Research has shown that youth with low levels of fitness or little interest in organized sports and traditional physical education are more likely to participate in noncompetitive outdoor physical activity. However, little is known about what influences youths’ decisions to participate in these activities. This study examined rural young adolescents’ experiences of participating in noncompetitive outdoor physical activity. In depth qualitative interviews were conducted with young adolescents aged 11-13 years (N = 24) from one rural middle school to elicit detailed descriptions of experiences of participation in outdoor physical activities. Interview transcripts were analyzed inductively and emergent themes related to …