From Novice Sprint All the Way up to Ironman! Exploring the Progression of Recreation Specialisation for Amateur Ironman Triathlon Finishers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69665/iss.v47i2.52Keywords:
endurance leisure sport, leisure-time physical activity, recreational endurance sport, recreational triathletes, serious leisureAbstract
This research provides an in-depth interpretation of how amateur Ironman triathlon finishers develop their skills and commitment to the sport. A qualitative approach was adopted to collect data from 25 amateur Ironman triathlon finishers through a two-step process—individual in-depth interviews followed by a focus group interview—and the resulting data were analysed to synthesise key themes. The analysis revealed that progression along the recreational specialisation continuum involves three areas encompassing eight themes. The first area, facilitators, underscores the influence of personal motivation and social support in sustaining participation. The second area, specialisation development, reflects growth in knowledge, behaviour, and affective engagement with the sport. The third area, changes after progression, highlights personal insights, evolving event preferences, and shifts in social or individual roles. Based on these findings, this research enhances the application of serious leisure theory and recreational specialisation literature, particularly in the context of Ironman triathlon participants. It also lays the groundwork for future large-scale model development and identifies two promising research directions: strategies for mental adjustment to overcome obstacles and approaches to maintaining a sense of balance in life. Overall, the findings offer a concise theoretical basis and practical guidance for fostering sustained participation in recreational triathlon.
Downloads
References
Aicher, T. J., & Newland, B. L. (2018). To explore or race? Examining endurance athletes’ destination event choices. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 24(4), 340-354.
Andreasson, J., & Johansson, T. (2019). Triathlon bodies in motion: Reconceptualizing feelings of pain, nausea and disgust in the Ironman Triathlon. Body & Society, 25(2), 119-145.
Andreasson, J., Johansson, T., & Danielsson, T. (2018). Becoming an Ironman triathlete. Extreme exercise, gender equality and the family puzzle. Sport in Society, 21(9), 1351-1363.
Atkinson, M. (2008). Triathlon, suffering and exciting significance. Leisure studies, 27(2), 165-180.
Backlund, E. A., & Kuentzel, W. F. (2013). Beyond progression in specialization research: Leisure capital and participation change. Leisure Sciences, 35(3), 293-299.
Baird, M. (2019). How much does it cost to enter and race an Ironman? 220TRIATHLON. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from http://www.220triathlon.com/training/long-distance/how-much-does-it-cost-to-enter-and-race-an-ironman/12791.html
Barbour, R. (2007). Doing focus groups. Sage.
Bricker, K. S., & Kerstetter, D. L. (2000). Level of specialization and place attachment: An exploratory study of whitewater recreationists. Leisure Sciences, 22(4), 233-257.
Bryan, H. (1977). Leisure value systems and recreational specialization: The case of trout fishermen. Journal of Leisure Research, 9(3), 174-187.
Bryman, A. (2004). Social research methods (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Caru, M., Poulnais, S., Gorwood, P., & Kern, L. (2022). Exercise addiction, pain and injuries in amateur athletes. Sport Sciences for Health, 18(4), 1253-1261.
Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory. Sage.
Codina, N., Pestana, J. V., & Stebbins, R. A. (2017). Serious and casual leisure activities in the construction of young adult identity: A study based on participants’ self-descriptions. OBETS: Revista de Ciencias Sociales, 12(1), 65-80.
Cohen, D. T. (2023). Iron moms: Toward an endurance sport identity. In S. M. Ortiz (Ed.), Family and sport (Research in the Sociology of Sport, Vol. 19) (pp. 107–121). Emerald Publishing Limited.
De Salvo, M., Cucuzza, G., Ientile, R., & Signorello, G. (2020). Does recreation specialization affect birders’ travel intention?. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 25(6), 560-574.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed., pp 1-32). SAGE.
Dupont, A. C., Hossu, G., Cherifi, A., Beaumont, M., Mandry, D., & Poussel, M. (2022). From training to overtraining: The necessity of an integrated approach. Science & Sports, 37(8), 806-807.
Fangen, K., & Nordli, H. (2005). Deltagande observation. Liber ekonomi.
Fielding, N., & Thomas, H. (2008). Qualitative interviewing. In N. Gilbert (Ed.), Researching social life (3rd ed., pp. 245-265). Sage.
Jun, J., Kyle, G., Graefe, A., & Manning, R. (2015). An identity-based conceptualization of recreation specialization. Journal of Leisure Research, 47(4), 425-443.
Kennelly, M., Moyle, B., & Lamont, M. (2013). Constraint negotiation in serious leisure: A study of amateur triathletes. Journal of Leisure Research, 45(4), 466-484.
Kim, J., Lee, Y., Kil, N., Pitas, N. A., & Hwang, S. (2023). Exploring the relationships across recreation specialization, leisure satisfaction, and happiness: the case of Korean hikers. Leisure Sciences, 1-19.
Krueger, R. A. (2014). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Sage.
Kuentzel, W. F., & Heberlein, T. A. (2006). From novice to expert? A panel study of specialization progression and change. Journal of Leisure Research, 38, 496–512.
Lamont, M., Kennelly, M., & Moyle, B. (2019). Perspectives of endurance athletes' Spouses: A paradox of serious leisure. Leisure Sciences, 41(6), 477-498.
Lee, J. H., & Scott, D. (2004). Measuring birding specialization: A confirmatory factor analysis. Leisure Sciences, 26(3), 245-260.
Lee, S., & Scott, D. (2013). Empirical linkages between serious leisure and recreational specialization. Human Dimensions of wildlife, 18(6), 450-462.
Lincoln, Y., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
Liu, S., & Lou, J. J. (2019). Can we play seriously? A literature review of recreation specialization. Tourism and Hospitality Prospects, 3(6), 64.
Manning, R. (2011). Studies in outdoor recreation: Search and research for satisfaction. Oregon State University Press.
Maxcy, J., Wicker, P., & Prinz, J. (2019). Happiness as a reward for torture: Is participation in a long-distance triathlon a rational choice?. Journal of Sports Economics, 20(2), 177-197.
McCarville, R. (2007). From a fall in the mall to a run in the sun: One journey to Ironman triathlon. Leisure Sciences, 29(2), 159-173.
McFarlane, B. L. (1996). Socialization influences of specialization among birdwatchers. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 1, 35–50.
McIntyre, N., & Pigram, J. J. (1992). Recreational specialization reexamined: The case of vehicle-based campers. Leisure Sciences, 14(1), 3-15.
Myburgh, E., & Kruger, M. (2022). Do they behave the same? Identifying the motives and behavioural intentions that influence the event loyalty of different distance triathletes. International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 22(3-4), 211-242.
Needham, M. D., Scott, D., & Vaske, J. J. (2013). Recreation specialization and related concepts in leisure research. Leisure Sciences, 35(3), 199-202.
Neuman, W. L. (2000). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (4th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
Oh, C. O., Sorice, M. G., & Ditton, R. B. (2010). Exploring progression along the recreation specialization continuum using a latent growth approach. Leisure Sciences, 33(1), 15-31.
Oh, C. O., Sutton, S. G., & Sorice, M. G. (2013). Assessing the role of recreation specialization in fishing site substitution. Leisure Sciences, 35(3), 256-272.
Parker, C., Scott, S., & Geddes, A. (2019). Snowball sampling. SAGE Research Methods Foundations.
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (2nd ed.). Sage.
Prior, M. T. (2018). Interviews and focus groups. In A. Phakiti, P.I. De Costa, L. Plonsky, & S. Starfield (Eds.), The palgrave handbook of applied linguistic research (pp. 225-248). Palgrave Macmillan.
Rundio, A., & Buning, R. J. (2021). Initiation and introduction into sport participation: New member experiences with collegiate sport clubs. Recreational Sports Journal, 45(2), 85-93.
Ryan, G. W., & Bernard, H. R. (2003). Techniques to identify themes. Field Methods, 15, 85-109.
Scott, D., & Lee, J, H. (2010). Progression, stability, or decline? Sociological mechanisms underlying change in specialization among birdwatchers. Leisure Sciences, 32(2), 180-194.
Scott, D., & Shafer, C. S. (2001). Recreational specialization: A critical look at the construct. Journal of Leisure Research, 33(3), 319-343.
Shafer, C. S., & Scott, D. (2013). Dynamics of progression in mountain bike racing. Leisure Sciences, 35(4), 353-364.
Sharma, A. P., & Périard, J. D. (2020). Physiological requirements of the different distances of triathlon. Triathlon medicine, 5-17.
Silverman, D. (2010). Doing qualitative research: A practical handbook (3rd ed.). Sage.
Simmons, J. M., Mahoney, T. Q., & Hambrick, M. E. (2016). Leisure, work, and family: How Ironmen balance the demands of three resource-intensive roles. Leisure Sciences, 38(3), 232-248.
Smith, W. E., Kyle, G. T., Sutton, S. G., & Dunlap, R. (2022). Characterizing style of participation among Texas inshore recreational fishing guides. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 1-18.
Spowart, L. (2024). Navigating divorce, single-motherhood and long-distance triathlon: a visual-autoethnography. Sport in Society, 27(8), 1293-1313.
Strauss, A. (1987). Qualitative analysis. Cambridge University Press.
Tsaur, S. H., & Liang, Y.W. (2008). Serious leisure and recreation specialization. Leisure Sciences, 30(4), 325-341.
Unruh, D. R. (1979). Characteristics and types of participation in social worlds. Symbolic interaction, 2(2), 115-130.
Verchère, R. (2017). The body experience of the triathlete: Uniting with nature and overcoming it. Loisir et Société/Society and Leisure, 40(1), 56-75.
Wu, C. C., Wang, W. C., & Lin, T. A. (2023). Whoever finishes will be a winner! Recreational triathletes’ experiences of competition participation. Journal of Outdoor Recreation Study, 36(1), 1-32.
