En el presente trabajo se estudia el caso de Maikel, un deportista con parálisis cerebral (PC) que practica deportes tanto en grupo inclusivo como específico o segregado. A partir de la metodología cualitativa se pretende identificar los significados atribuidos a la práctica deportiva en escenarios diversos en los que toman parte deportistas con y sin discapacidad, tanto de forma conjunta como separada. Los resultados sugieren que es en el contexto deportivo específico y en prácticas psicomotrices sin competición en grupos inclusivos donde las y los deportistas con PC mejor hacen frente a la discriminación y los prejuicios de otras personas sin discapacidad. Las prácticas deportivas segregadas se convierten en entornos seguros, lo cual aumenta las relaciones interpersonales entre todas las participantes. Al igual que los entornos inclusivos, el deporte específico o segregado puede ser una estrategia eficiente para promover la inclusión social de las personas con PC.

The aim of this paper was to examine the differences in the external and internal load in amateur match officials between the 1st and 2nd half and among different 15 min periods. Twenty-three field referees (FRs) and 46 assistant referees (ARs) from the Spanish División de Honor participated in this study. Match external and internal loads were monitored showing that FRs recorded a lower Power_mean, Speed_mean, Cadence_mean and Stiffness_mean (p < 0.05; d = 0.52 to 0.57) during the 2nd half and they also recorded a lower HR_mean, and HR_peak, and spent less time in zone 5 (p < 0.05; d = 0.50 to 0.62). The FRs’ match load decreased during the match but they performed higher Power_mean and covered more distance in the last 15 min of the match (p < 0.01; d = 0.87 to 4.28). The ARs external load did not show significant variations between halves, but ARs recorded a lower HR_mean and spent less time in zone 5 (p < 0.01; d = 0.41 to 0.63), and the highest values of Power_mean, Speed_mean, Cadence_mean and Vertical oscillation_mean during the first 15 min of the match (p < 0.05; d = 0.45 to 0.75). The highest values of HR_mean and distance covered were in the 0–15 min period. Results suggest that match load decreases as the match progresses because of the neuromuscular fatigue but increases in the last 15 min.

This study aimed to describe frequent parkour practitioners’ training habits, training motives and goals, and perceived performance factors of practitioners from different countries and continents. An ad hoc questionnaire (PARK-Q) was developed in four languages by the research group and validated by active experts with 12-18 years of experience practising and coaching parkour. The PARK-Q is a multidimensional questionnaire that explores demographics, habits, goals, motivation and perceived performance factors from the practitioner’s perspective. The PARK-Q presented overall great internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=.902) and was answered by one hundred and forty-one parkour practitioners (n=141, 26.2±5.0 years old) from 15 countries and four continents. Parkour could still be considered a masculine action sport with a low level of federated participation, mostly practised outdoors, with friends, in an unstructured way, and learnt freely: with friends, autodidact, etc. Parkour practitioners’ motivation mainly comes from within and could be considered Intrinsic Motivation. To parkour practitioners, Precision, Environmental adaptability, and Movement techniques may be considered the most important performance factors, whereas Flip repertoire, Suffering capacity, and Keeping yourself distracted are the least important. Thus, new measuring instruments or assessments that align better with the discipline should be explored, considering the performance factors perceived by international parkour practitioners.

The aim of this paper is to explore how female players of Basque pelota (pelotaris) construct their gender identity in a traditionally masculine sport. The theory of performativity is used to understand how females negotiate, resist or challenge the dominant gender discourse. Data were collected through 10 in-depth interviews with players. Through inductive analysis we found that the sociocultural context surrounding Basque pelota reinforces the binary system of gender embodiment, which includes hegemonic masculinities and idealised femininities. However, our findings also suggest that whilst some players adhere to this dominant discourse, others actively resist and transgress it through the embodiment of alternative identities. In doing this, these players create new and inclusive identities, therefore escaping a simplistic binary and embracing a multiplicity of gender identities. As a result, they can become active agents in the promotion of equity in sport.

Inactivity is higher among women than among men, and there are few specific questionnaires used to assess physical activity (PA) in women that are truly meaningful to them. This article tackles the design and validation process of an ad hoc multidimensional questionnaire to assess leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among adult women of Gipuzkoa. The questionnaire was completed by 3595 adult women (43.5 ± 12.1 years), 32% of which were inactive and 68% of which were active. Content validation, ecological validation, and internal consistency analysis results were satisfactory. The Gipuzkoa Women’s Physical Activity Questionnaire (GWPAQ) consists of four dimensions and 21 items. Barriers to PA were found related to intrapersonal, environmental, and socio-cultural aspects. The importance of family and spousal support in increasing PA levels was also observed. It is concluded that the GWPAQ is valid for obtaining evidence that can be used by public institutions to optimise women-specific PA promotion policies.

Basque pilota is a traditional sport played mainly by men. A project emerged in 2005 to promote female participation: Emakumea Pilotari (Woman pelota player). In this article we present the main points that emerged from an ethnographic study of the social relationships that playing Basque pilota can provide. The study was carried out in 2011-2012 season with a purposive sample of 28 adult women Basque pilota players (pilotaris) (between 22 and 60 years old). 26 participants were pilotaris in recreational groups and the other two were their trainers. The results suggest that a sense of community, team membership, the development of a general reciprocity and group security are the most important aspects for players. A sense of community is the fundamental reason why they practise this sport. The group as a whole is the top priority. Female pilotaris share the desire to relate to each other as women, build relationships, create bonds and help each other.\ud \ud Resumen\ud \ud La pelota vasca es un deporte tradicional practicado mayoritariamente por hombres. En 2005 se puso en marcha un proyecto para promover la participación de las mujeres: Emakumea Pilotari (Mujer Pelotari). En este artículo se presentan los hallazgos de un estudio etnográfico llevado a cabo durante una temporada en torno a las relaciones sociales que genera jugar a pelota vasca. La investigación se realizó con una muestra intencionada de 28 mujeres pelotaris adultas (entre 22 y 60 años), de las cuales 26 eran participantes de un programa recreativo y dos entrenadoras. Los resultados indican que los aspectos más importantes para las participantes son el sentimiento de comunidad, ser miembro de un grupo, el desarrollo de la reciprocidad general y la seguridad que da el grupo. La comunidad es la razón fundamental para practicar este deporte, ya que el grupo es la mayor prioridad. Las mujeres pelotaris comparten el deseo de relacionarse entre ellas como mujeres, construir relaciones, crear conexiones y ayudarse mutuamente