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A Senior Water Aerobics Class as a Subculture
- Date Issued:
- 2014
- Abstract/Description:
- Although previous research has focused on subcultures among deviant groups, very little research has been conducted on older adults' subcultures or subcultures within exercise settings. Given the lack of research on older and non-deviant groups, the current research study was designed to reveal how a senior water aerobics exercise class is indeed a subculture and provide a rich description of this understudied and unappreciated subculture. Data collection took place at a water aerobics exercise class at a health club in Central Florida. In the first phase of data collection, ethnographic observations were utilized to identify the social processes in the pool setting. In the second phase of data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 seniors to provide a rich description of a water aerobics subculture. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, the results revealed that the water aerobics class resembles a subculture with distinctive norms, social roles and rituals. Based on these findings, this study concludes that groups such as water aerobics classes may influence seniors' self-esteem, wellbeing and transition into late adulthood.
Title: | A Senior Water Aerobics Class as a Subculture. |
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17 downloads |
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Name(s): |
Halbert, Sarah, Author Grauerholz, Elizabeth, Committee Chair Anthony, Amanda, Committee Member Sikorska, Elzbieta, Committee Member , Committee Member University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor |
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Type of Resource: | text | |
Date Issued: | 2014 | |
Publisher: | University of Central Florida | |
Language(s): | English | |
Abstract/Description: | Although previous research has focused on subcultures among deviant groups, very little research has been conducted on older adults' subcultures or subcultures within exercise settings. Given the lack of research on older and non-deviant groups, the current research study was designed to reveal how a senior water aerobics exercise class is indeed a subculture and provide a rich description of this understudied and unappreciated subculture. Data collection took place at a water aerobics exercise class at a health club in Central Florida. In the first phase of data collection, ethnographic observations were utilized to identify the social processes in the pool setting. In the second phase of data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 seniors to provide a rich description of a water aerobics subculture. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, the results revealed that the water aerobics class resembles a subculture with distinctive norms, social roles and rituals. Based on these findings, this study concludes that groups such as water aerobics classes may influence seniors' self-esteem, wellbeing and transition into late adulthood. | |
Identifier: | CFE0005179 (IID), ucf:50668 (fedora) | |
Note(s): |
2014-05-01 M.A. Sciences, Sociology Masters This record was generated from author submitted information. |
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Subject(s): | water aerobics -- subculture -- older adults -- aging -- exercise | |
Persistent Link to This Record: | http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005179 | |
Restrictions on Access: | public 2014-05-15 | |
Host Institution: | UCF |