Notes from the underground: Using caving to understand physical activity

participation in under-represented groups.

Helen Hooper & Mark Hickmanhhooper@uclan.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashire, UK

Background

• Case study opportunity: Wensleydale, North Yorkshire

• Rationale:– Paucity of research into older adults &

adventurous activity– Exploration of the extent to which adventure

sport experiences (specifically caving) can provide benefits to health & wellbeing

– Expanding horizons for both future research & participation among older adults

Research Process• Participants:

– Older women recruited via word of mouth– In-group definition of an older woman (54-82 years)– Currently 12 participants

• Caving & Outdoor Activity trips:– Ongoing, participatory design, negotiated with group

• Crackpot Cave, Swaledale• Long Churn, Ingleborough• Abseiling & cave ladder ascent/ rock climbing, Ingleton

quarry

• Individual interviews:– Semi-structured plus ongoing conversations– Tea, sandwiches, homemade cake…a true ethnography!

So do you feel old? “No I don't. Just sometimes, on a night, when I sit down & I think ughh [achey body noise]” (Sandra, 66yrs)

- I’m not old—I’ve got purple patches in my hair! (Fred, 69yrs)

“I’m mature” (Linda, 69 yrs)

- Middle-aged, menopausal & feeling onset of achey limbs & perceiving a need to keep active (Andrea, 54 yrs)

“I don't feel 62! I always think that lots of other people are much older than me” (Delwyn, 62 yrs)

Inclusion of others for social support reasons:

E (lack of confidence), C (ASD), S (childcare difficulties)

Single Sex Participation: ‘The ladies who cave’

“You don't feel you've got to do it because the men say 'Ohh, uhhhh, uhhh'--you know, being all macho about it. And you think 'oh I better not be a feeble woman. I'd better try and do it too'. But if you're all women, you're going to meet your failures much easier..Or show your fear”

[Sue, 82 years]

“M [not a group member] said 'I wonder if [my husband] would be able to go?' And I said 'No. It's all women [seems quite pleased with this fact] [Clara, 63yrs]

Participation: Motivations & BenefitsSocial factors as major influences on participation decisions:

a.Social Support:“I thought 'hmm. No way'. But the idea of other people coming along that were of a similar frame of mind and complete novices like me, then that makes it easier” [Andrea, 54yrs]

b. Being supportive:“If she [C] wants us to go, we’re going [emphatic]” [Fred, 69yrs]

c. Upwards Comparison: “Initially I thought no. And then, and then…it's my mum…and I thought I know exactly what she'd say 'I haven't been caving before, oh yeah, let's go'. So it was just her...knowing what she was like... I said 'you know what, I'll have a go‘”. [Delwyn, 62yr]

d. Proof that they’re not past it!Whilst I was down there I realised that I couldn't stop smiling!! [she laughs] Because I was really enjoying it! I thought I might have had a few aches and pains but no, I was fine. So I thought 'ooh I'm obviously fitter than I thought I was!’” [Delwyn, 62 yrs]

e. New ChallengesI think it's important to always be aiming for something. It may only be, you know, little, baby steps but to always challenge yourself and to experience new things…I think that's really important. [Andrea, 54yrs]

f. Tales of new recruits: No new challenges for older adults: “I haven’t challenged myself for years”

Identity: Affirmation & creation

• Perfuming Presence: colonising caving with notions of femininity

• Male disbelief: One or two of them [male YDNP rangers] said 'I wouldn't have gone down there...I know where that is!' [uses deep gruff voice to signify men and disbelief] And so, it was hilarious actually--the reactions were unbelievable! You know, it was sort of…middle aged women, went caving..! [Sandra, 66 yrs]

Identity: Can we pay you to be part of the study?

• New desire for group to continue: “No-one will come along if I charge!” “Oh yes we will!”

• Choice and control—cake, failure & payment:

“Well I knew if I didn't really want to go, I wouldn't go. I would have been turning round...like I did” [Fred, 69 yrs]

• Pleasures, positive outcomes and maybe, a new facet to their identity—the adventurous girls.

• Wensleydale Advertiser, August 2015 edition.

The role of Social Comparison

• A cognitive evaluation of the self in comparison to a chosen reference person/group (Festinger, 1954).

• Underlying motives: self-enhancement (feeling better about oneself), self-inspiration, & self-evaluation.

• Evidence of all 3 categories plus the temporal dimension prevalent in women’s stories…

Communicating Pride: Self-enhancement

A comparison to less active, less adventurous others:

I emailed my friend that I'm in touch with via email. One lives in South Africa and one lives in London and it was kind of you know 'look what I've done'…it was kind of a real achievement.

[Andrea, 54 yrs]

The Temporal Dimension

In relation to a downwards comparison with a previous self or experience:[Have you caved before?] Yes. But it was with school groups, 6th formers and so it was very simple. It was just like walking in, walking to the end, walking back...none of the tricky bits [sounds quite proud]—getting your pockets full of water you know—none of that!

[Delwyn, 62yrs]

Coping with fear (self-evaluation):

In relation to coping other of similar age:

I thought, 'right. right. this is probably more serious than I thought!' [still chuckling] I thought 'ok. I'll give it a go'. Um. I thought 'well if Linda can do it, I can do it [Sandra, 66 yrs]

Challenging themselves (self-inspiration)

Motivation provided when looking to other, older women who are succeeding:

“And Linda [also 69 yrs]—she was great. And yes! When she said that she was doing it, I thought 'If she can do it, I can do it'--it's the challenge you see”. [Fred, 69 yrs]

Concluding comments& Questions

References•Bacsu, J., Jeffery, B., Abonyi, S., Johnson, S., Novik, N., Martz, D. and Oosman, S. (2014). Healthy aging in place: Perceptions of rural older adults. Educational Gerontology, 40(5), 327-337. •Festinger L (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations 7:117-140.•Sugerman, D. (2001). Motivations of older adults to participate in outdoor adventure experiences. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 1(2), 21-33.•Taylor, S.E. and Lobel, M. (1989). Social comparison activity under threat: downward evaluation and upward contacts. Psychological Review 96:569-575.