A1 Journal article (refereed)
Beyond life-skills : talented athletes, existential learning and (Un)learning the life of an athlete (2023)

Ronkainen, N., Aggerholm, K., Allen-Collinson, J., & Ryba, T. V. (2023). Beyond life-skills : talented athletes, existential learning and (Un)learning the life of an athlete. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 15(1), 35-49. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2022.2037694

JYU authors or editors

Ronkainen, Noora
Ryba, Tatiana

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ronkainen, Noora; Aggerholm, Kenneth; Allen-Collinson, Jacquelyn; Ryba, Tatiana V.

Journal or series: Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health

ISSN: 2159-676X

eISSN: 2159-6778

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 23/02/2022

Volume: 15

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 35-49

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2022.2037694

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79919

Abstract

Following developments in educational discourse more broadly, learning discourses in youth sport have been shaped by outcome-based and instrumental goals of developing useful life-skills for ‘successful’ lives. There is, however, a need to expand such traditional understandings of sport-based youth development, which we undertook by exploring existential learning in sport through encountering discontinuity. We conducted in-depth qualitative research with 16 Finnish athletes (seven men/nine women, aged 19–20), five of whom had recently disengaged from the athlete development pathway. In the interviews, we used creative non-fiction vignettes to invite reflections on learning experiences in sport. Although participants reported having learnt many useful skills commonly associated with positive youth development discourses (e.g. goal setting, time-management), many also provided rich descriptions of other, important ‘life lessons’. These involved developing awareness of their bodily limitations, the nature of social relationships, and what it was like to live the life of an elite athlete. The findings revealed problematic features of (elite) sport cultures but also showed that encountering discontinuity could be beneficial as an important trigger for existential reflection, clarification of values, and a search for alternative ways of living.

Keywords: athletes; top athletes; art of living; social skills; interaction; consciousness (mental properties); spiritual growth; learning; learning experiences; existential psychology; psychological coaching; sport psychology