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Dystopian Fiction: Can it Enable us to Think Critically about Gendered Violence and Power?
Get PDFThis article discusses the issues of power sex, gender, and the law with regard to identifying and controlling violence against women. It discusses these concepts within dystopian works of fiction and their application, both actual and potential, to real life. The novels and films below have been selected for their perceived relevance to the author as examples of dystopian fiction, but importantly they engage with Gadamer’s concept of language and socially and historically affected consciousness. Hence, the themes, but also their reception, are products of their time and place.
The central themes of the novels will be those typical for dystopian fiction, such as power, governmental control and loss of individualism. However, other themes particularly pertinent to feminist dystopian fiction are also investigated, such as imagining a matriarchal society, misogyny and misandry, sexual violence, and the limitations upon the behaviour of individuals, usually female, but not always. Feminist theory has engaged with ‘essentialism’, both arguing for an essential difference between ‘males’ and ‘females’, but also disputing essentialism for limitations upon the sexes. One criticism of such works is that they are based upon biological sex and as such promote a dichotomous essentialism. However, since this article is discussing violence against women, biological or gendered, it is not engaging with the subtlety of multi-faceted ‘gendered’ identities, except in the stereotyping of such ‘attributes’.
The selected novels have enabled different interpretations over time, due to the diversity of readers, and of social norms, values, and beliefs. Whether we can distance ourselves from our socially and historically embedded understandings through these works of fiction, to critique the contemporary world is discussed. Arguably, for Attwood the critique and change potential is not guaranteed, for: “Humanity is so adaptable. Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations.” This article argues that, crucially, with what, and with whom, we identify, are influential in our interpretations
The Architecture of Desire: How the Law Shapes Interracial Intimacy and Perpetuates Inequality, Solangel Maldonado [NYU Press, 2024, 240pp, £29.99 (hardback)]
Get PDFReview of The Architecture of Desire: How the Law Shapes Interracial Intimacy and Perpetuates Inequality, Solangel Maldonado [NYU Press, 2024, 240pp, £29.99 (hardback)
B11 Deconstructing the physical output between tapering sessions, match days, and post-match training sessions: A single case report
No full textTalented adolescent professional soccer players can experience multiple within-career transitions during the course of a competitive season in Major League Soccer. Consequently, players may shift between multiple team environments, including the first team (FT), reserve team (RT) and youth national team (NT). When changing environments, players must adapt and cope with increased physical demands associated with training and competing in the FT (Morris et al., 2016, J Appl Sport Psych, 28, 375-391), as well as the NT (McKay et al., 2022, J Appl Sport Psych, 34, 1272-1294). Consequently, the aim of this single case report was to analyse the physical output during matches, tapering and post-match sessions from a professional adolescent shifting between multiple team environments. External load data were collected via Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for an entire competitive season in three different environments (FT, RT, NT) across tapering sessions (MD-2 and MD-1), match days (MD), and post-match training sessions (MD+1/+2; ≥60 and <60 minutes played). The following intensity related measures (i.e., relative distance covered in meters, which is divided by the duration of the training session or match in minutes) were extracted for analysis: total distance covered, distance covered in multiple speed zones (Zone 1: 0-0.6 km/h; Zone 2: 0.7-7.1 km/h; Zone 3: 7.2-14.3 km/h; Zone 4: 14.4-.19.7 km/h; Zone 5: 19.8-25.1 km/h; Zone 6: >25.1 km/h), moderate speed running distance (>Z4; MSRD), and high speed running distance (>Z5; HSRD). A multivariate analysis of variance with physical output variables as dependent variables and session type (MD+/-) as fixed factors was conducted. The results indicated that the session type had a significant effect on all variables (F8,128 = 22.14-158.86; P < 0.01; ES = 0.41-0.83), as well as the environment (F2,128 = 3.8-26.7; P < 0.5; ES = 0.06-0.30) except relative distance covered in Z6 and SPD (P > 0.05). However, the interaction between session type and environment had no significant effect on any variable (P > 0.05), except for total distance (F8,128 = 2.33; P = 0.02; ES = 0.13) and distance covered in Z1 (F8,128 = 5.32; p<0.001; ES = 0.25). In conclusion, the adolescent professional player was exposed to different relative intensities in training and matches across multiple team environments over the course of a competitive season. In particular, the adolescent player recorded greater relative intensities in the FT environment relative to the RT and NT environments
C03 Exploring boxers' experiences of fear using Reflexive Thematic Analysis: Fear can be a longtime companion, guide and motivator
No full textInjury, and the pain associated with it, are recurrent elements in boxing, differentiating it from other sports in that they expose the athlete to an unavoidable existential threat (Sarkar & Fletcher, 2014, J Sports Sci, 32). Limited literature exists on the experiences of fear within the context of sport and on how it differs from anxiety (Hanin, 2000, Emotions in Sport, Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics; Nicholls & Polman, 2007, J Sports Sci, 25, 11-31). This study used a reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006, Qual Res Psych, 3; Braun et al., 2016, in B. Smith & A. Sparks (Ed.) Routledge Handbook of Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (195-203). London, New York: Routledge) to investigate how the two concepts are different from one another and how they are made sense of among professional boxers. The living individual experiences of boxers facing these stressors qualified them to be suitable subjects to learn from on the topic through a generic qualitative interpretative approach (Smith & Sparks, 2016) underpinned by relativist ontology and constructivist epistemology (Sandberg, 2005, Org Res Meth, 8, 41-68). The analysis of sixteen podcasts (available online; Alberton, 2022, Martial Attitude Voice: Spotify), with professional boxers (male/female) of different weight divisions, produced four overarching themes: 1. Fear and anxiety go hand in hand; Although nuanced as different, they can be perceived as one, apprehensive anticipation of future protective reactions to an immediate direct threat. It is argued that this anxiety/fear fusion to be a novel kind of appraisal; 2. Fear keeps us alive; Fear was re-framed as intrinsic/extrinsic greater motivator, as the boxers described how it guided and enabled them to prepare for matches with discipline. Moreover, fear was depicted as a useful tool weaponized by the boxers, providing important feedback. 3. The fear of losing everything is right there in boxers’ faces; Fear of injury is theorized to be a pivotal stressor feeding fears of possible future disabilities or death, that is the ultimate failure in life as much as in the ring; 4. Coping with fear is to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Self-efficacy mediated structured resilience whilst discipline was the rationalized tool to withstand the emotional task of the physical fight. Fear as an inherent component of professional boxing is highlighted as important for policymaking, whilst alternative approaches could address present limitations. Theoretical/practical implications for future interventions bespoke to boxing is considered
C05 Exploring British student-athletes' receptivity to sport psychology consultation
No full textStudent-athlete's receptivity to sport psychology (SP) is a significant contributor to effective SP service delivery. Previous studies among American student-athletes suggests that stigma and negative beliefs, which affect receptivity, remain significant barriers to seeking SP support. However, there is a paucity of research focusing on the British student-athlete population. The aim of this study was to explore how demographic factors affect British student-athletes' receptivity to SP consultation. Following institutional ethics approval, student-athletes (n = 96, 48 males and 48 females) completed a series of demographic questions and the Sport Psychology Attitudes Revised Form (SPAR-R) (25 items answered on a seven-point Likert scale). The survey measured stigma tolerance (Cronbach’s alphas (α) = 0.821), confidence in SP consultation (α = 0.882), personal openness (α = 0.462) and cultural preference (α = 0.534). A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANCOVA) was used to examine the relationship between demographic constructs and the SPAR-R responses. Compared to females, males reported significantly higher scores in personal openness (P = 0.44, P < 0.05, mean difference [MD]: 0.54), and cultural preference (P = 0.01, P < 0.05, MD: 0.54). Compared to athletes who compete in a team sport, individual athletes reported significantly higher scores of confidence in SP consultation (P = 0.013, P < 0.05, MD: 0.7). There were no influences of age and level of sporting competition on confidence in SP and cultural preference, respectively (P > 0.05). The results suggest that males and athletes who compete in a team sport may be less receptive towards SP consultation than females and athletes who compete in an individual sport. These results are similar to those found within an American student-athlete population yet provide applied SP practitioners with novel insights into working with British student-athletes. Future research should focus on student-athletes from various ethnic backgrounds and further expand methodological approaches to understanding why demographic factors affect receptivity to SP consultation. In conclusion, these results could inform and encourage practitioners to adopt a tailored approach when providing SP consultation to persons possessing different demographic characteristics
J07 Early morning bright light therapy: its next-day effects on early morning physical performance, temperature, and mood
No full textMany different popular sports such as swimming, rowing or team-based sports involve having to perform whether in training or competition at a high level in the early morning (Olympics.com, 2023). Various research papers in the past have shown that there is a distinct diurnal variation in physical performance. Finding ways to improve early morning performance would greatly benefit many athletes and teams in multiple disciplines. 11 active males [mean ± SD: age, 21 ± 1 years, body mass, 78 ± 8 kg and stature, 180 ± 5 cm) volunteered, completed two familiarisations. Then two experimental sessions randomly allocated in a counterbalanced order 1) bright light therapy/ 2) no bright light therapy was administered at 07:00 h for 1 h the next morning (07:00 h) participants came into the laboratory where Intra-aural temperature, mood was assessed using the Perceived Onset Mood State questionnaire and right and left grip strength using a hand grip dynamometer were taken. Finally, participants undertook a warmup, the completed 10 × 20 m repeated sprints (RS) with 30 s recoveries on an indoor running track, with heart rate, finishing time and perceived exertion measured every sprint. Blood lactate was measured at rest, after the warm-up and post RS. Data were analysed using general-linear models
J18 Team trust as a predictor of collective efficacy in female rugby players
No full textAccording to Bandura’s (1997) social cognitive theory, “the higher the sense of collective efficacy, the better the team performance”. Bandura also states that collective efficacy is greater than the sum of its individual self-efficacies due to it being influenced by other cognitive factors, including trust (1986, 1997, J Cog Psychother, 13, 158-166). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of team trust on the construct of collective efficacy within a sport context. It is proposed that team trust is an important cognitive factor that may precede the relationship between collective efficacy and group performance. With institute ethical approval (BREO:33249-A-Nov/2023-47988-1), 21 female college rugby players voluntarily completed the four factor Team Trust Scale (Costa & Anderson, 2011. Eur J Work Org Psych, 20, 119-154) and the five factor Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sport (Short, Sullivan. & Feltz, 2005, Meas Phys Ed Ex Sci, 9, 181-202) to measure the correlation between levels of team trust and collective efficacy and determine if team trust is indeed a valid predictor of collective efficacy. Linear regression analyses were conducted and correlation coefficients calculated using Pearson’s correlation. It was predicted that a positive correlation would be shown between the two constructs and that team trust is a significant predictor of collective efficacy. Assuming a positive hypothesis, the study recommends that rugby teams and interdependent sport teams, generally, should develop a high-quality environment of trust both on and off the pitch, given its relationship with collective efficacy and subsequent impact on performance. Relatively little research has been carried out into the effect of intrateam trust within sport and, therefore, this study serves to widen the exploration of this construct and its impact on other social constructs such as collective efficacy and their impact on team performance. 
J26 Perception of coach leadership style as a predictor of team cohesion in elite women’s touch rugby
No full textCoach leadership style can hold a bearing on the development of a cohesive and integrated team, which can influence performance goals. Cohesion, as explored in Chelladurai’s Multidimensional Model of Leadership (MML), is defined as the ability for a team to remain united in the pursuit of shared goals (Burke et al., 2014, In Beauchamp & Eyes (Eds.) Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sport Psychology (pp. 213). Taylor & Francis). To date, numerous studies have explored the impact of coach leadership styles on team cohesion, typically inferring detrimental effects of autocratic leadership styles. However, there is limited research conducted with an elite female sample, particularly in amateur international competition settings. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between perceived leadership behaviour and team cohesion within the Scotland women’s team at the European Touch Rugby Championships in 2022. Accordingly, it was hypothesised that: H1 Leadership behaviours of training and instruction, social support, positive feedback and democratic leadership would be positive predictors of task cohesion, and H2 Autocratic leadership behaviour would be negative predictors of both social and task cohesion. After securing institutional ethical approval (Ref: 33249-A-Nov/2023-47988-1) and permission from the board of Scottish Touch Association, members of the Scotland Women’s team competing at the European Championships in 2022 were contacted to take part in the study (N= 15). Participants completed the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) that assessed coach leadership behaviours and the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) that assessed cohesion. Data were checked for univariate outliers and the Mahalanobis test revealed no multivariate outliers. Skewness and kurtosis established normality and multiple regression analyses was used to predict cohesion from the five LSS subscales. Overall, no significant results were found for ATGT (F5, 9 = 0.56, P > 0.05), ATGS (F5, 9 = 1.27, P > 0.05), GIT (F5, 9 = 0.66, P > 0.05), and GIS (F5, 9 = 0.70, P > 0.05). In conclusion, athlete perceived leadership did not predict team cohesion, but the direction of relationships between factors partially aligns with previous research and indicates that research with a larger sample of female elite athletes is warranted under non-retrospective conditions. Further research with female samples has the potential to provide insights into the intricate relationship between leadership and cohesion, which could improve performance for elite female teams
J29 Analysis of external load in professional English Football League Two players
No full textPrevious research has utilised Global Positioning Systems (GPS) based technology to provide detailed insights on activity profiles and external demands of professional football. However, there remains minimal research exploring this in the English Football League (EFL), in particular, League Two. Considering differences such as a unique fixture frequency and congestion, and its impact of training occurrence, a study on the external physical loading of EFL League Two players is necessary. Furthermore, analysis of positional differences due to the varied activity profiles is warranted. Therefore, the aims of the current study were to explore the difference in the external demands across training mesocycles, and differences between four-, three-, or two-day training weeks. Additionally, positional differences in external demands in competitive fixtures were explored. Twenty, male, professional soccer players from the EFL League Two (27 ± 6 years, mass 81 ± 8 kg, stature 181 ± 8 cm) were monitored across 41 competitive matches during the 2023-24 season. Players were grouped into the following positional categories central defender (n=3); wide defender (n=4); central midfielder (n=5); wide midfielder (n=5) and striker (n=3). The ethics committee of the sport department at University Academy 92 approved this study. A GPS system (Apex, STATSports, Northern Ireland) was used to quantify external load data from training and match day (MD) across 5 mesocycles of the season. Total distance ranged from 92.1 ± 6.5 m·min-1 to 106.2 ± 8.7 m·min-1 and 44.0 ± 2.0 m·min-1 to 56.8 ± 4.9 m·min-1 across mesocycles in matches and training, respectively. Likewise, High-Speed Running also varied across mesocycles, ranging from 5.6 ± 1.9 m·min-1 to 6.7 ± 1.0 m·min-1 and 0.9 ± 0.3 m·min-1 to 1.3 ± 0.4 m·min-1 in matches and training, respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in several external load variables were evident between four-, three-, or two-day training weeks. When analysing positional differences in matches, the CM achieved the greatest total distance (106.3 ± 17.6 m·min-1), with WM exhibiting the greatest amount of distance at high speed (7.9 ± 2.1 m·min-1) and total accelerations and decelerations (1.9 ± 0.3 ·min2; 1.0 ± 0.3 ·min2). Consequently, results from this research should allow practitioners to physically prepare players optimally in preparation for MD. In conclusion, this study highlighted that external match load performance was influenced by players' positions. Moreover, the consideration of training days in preparation for a fixture, might allow players to be in optimum physical capacity for MD
J12 The validation of inertial measurement units in upper limb movement during wheelchair activity
No full textIntroduction: 3D motion capture is accepted to be the gold standard approach to all data collection for the production of accurate data, however, in recent literature the ecological validity of 3D systems has come into question. This has brought about the use of Inertial measurement units (IMU’s) and the investigation into their accuracy in enabling accurate real life scenario data collection. The depth of research on IMU’s in wheelchair data collection is limited, and at current there is limited attempts at a validation in comparison to an established data collection software. This research aims to validate basic upper body motions seen within wheelchair propulsion in an attempt to identify the current limitations of IMU’s. Methods: numerous IMU placements and calibration stances were investigated for the collection of elbow flexion and shoulder flexion. IMU’s for elbow flexion were placed at the wrist and central on the forearm. For shoulder flexion the IMU was placed 1 cm above the elbow joint. During the calibration phase, standing anatomical position with thumbs forwards, palms outwards, bent elbow and straight arms outwards at 90° for elbow and shoulder flexion, respectively. For both shoulder and elbow flexion, the participant started at a neutral position and moved through to 90° of flexion and returned to starting position. Quintic was used as the validated software. Results: the wrist placed IMU determined elbow flexion more accurately than the forearm placed IMU. Range of motion for both shoulder and elbow flexion were well calculated within several degrees when using the anatomical thumbs forwards calibration pose; with 99.97 and 89.69°, respectively compared to 88.48 and 97.32°. However, the degree of elbow flexion was overestimated with a difference of 27.78°, with the IMU being 91.11° and quintic being 63.33°. Similar results were also seen for the prediction of elbow flexion during the starting phase with a difference of 26.58°. Discussion: with range of motion accurately calculated in comparison to quintic, and shoulder flexion maximum and minimum values also being similar when segment angle was calculated. Then the differences are likely due to error in the calculation of joint angle using a calculation of global coordinate system from the IMU coordinate system during data processing. Therefore, future research should target alternate approaches to data processing in order to reduce the errors seen