Taking exercise: cultural diversity and physically active lifestyles

Abstract

‘Taking exercise’, whether it be recreational walking, participating in club sport, or joining in a physical education (PE) lesson, is a culturally loaded behaviour. We all see, do and talk about physical activity differently, yet, there has been relatively little research or theorising around difference in race, ethnicity, cultural diversity and physical activity from an educational perspective. This paper presents snapshots of data from three research projects with Indigenous and Muslim young people to illuminate how they and their families think about PE, physical activity and health. We will draw on ‘post’ discussions around biopolitics, colonisation, governmentality and citizenship to argue that PE needs to better account for ‘others’ and ‘othering’ in its research, planning and practices.

Keywords:

• Physical education
• Cultural diversity
• Biopolitics
• Post-colonial theory

Notes

1. The term ‘cultural minorities’ has advocates and adversaries. It can be viewed as privileging dominant cultural groups or, alternatively, it can usefully draw attention to the possibilities of marginalisation and thus should be used with caution.