Adventure sport and feminine empowerment

an exploratory study

Abstract

The present qualitative study investigated the existing relation between adventure sports and women empowerment. It was developed in two phases. The first phase concerned a relevant non-systematic bibliographic review and the second phase consisted of an exploratory research, using a closed questionnaire as an instrument, which was applied online through Facebook® social network, to an intentional sample composed of 20 women that practiced adventure sports. The analyzed data by the Content Analysis Technique indicated that feminine empowerment was understood as attitudinal changes in face of inequalities. The sense of empowerment was perceived through the practice, because self-confidence, overcoming challenges, and strengthened body image were reaffirmed in their daily lives. It is concluded that adventure sports amplify the perceptions of empowerment, as in they contribute in an effective way to the strengthening of affective and social aspects of these practitioners, which stimulates questions about the real values instilled in social and sports practices, demonstrating with this attitude its participation as a particular achievement.