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http://dx.doi.org/10.5850/JKSCT.2010.34.12.2051

Characteristics of Extreme Sports Participants' Lifestyles and Sportswear Benefits Sought -A Comparison between Participants of Extreme and Traditional Sports-  

Cho, Sun-Myoung (Dept. of Clothing & Textiles, Yonsei University)
Kang, Ji-Hye (Dept. of Clothing & Textiles, Yonsei University)
Koh, Ae-Ran (Dept. of Clothing & Textiles, Yonsei University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles / v.34, no.12, 2010 , pp. 2051-2061 More about this Journal
Abstract
Extreme sports refers to sports activities with a high level of inherent danger, such as extreme skiing, snow-boarding, mountain biking, motocross bicycling, aggressive in-line skating, wake-boarding, and paragliding. This study investigates the characteristics of extreme sports participants as group identities through an examination of the differences between extreme sports participants and traditional sports groups in lifestyle and sportswear benefits sought. We composed a total 108-item lifestyle profiles characterized by six lifestyle dimensions (dress, diet, home, recreation, consumption, and sense of values); in addition, we developed 32 items for sportswear benefits sought. The surveys targeted 422 sports participants living in Korea (216 men and 206 women, aged 15-23): 119 extreme sports participants and 303 traditional sports participants. All items were evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale, and SPSS 17.0. was used for data analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the substructure of each lifestyle dimension and sportswear benefits sought. The results of the factor analysis on each lifestyle dimension are as follows: 5 factors in dress dimension, 4 in diet, 3 in home, 6 in recreation, 5 in consumption, and 6 in sense of values. Six factors of sportswear benefit sought were identified. A t-test revealed that there were significant differences between the two groups in lifestyle dimensions and sportswear benefits sought. This study reveals that the lifestyle characteristics of extreme sports participants are more likely than traditional sports group to be more self-expressive, more distinctive, more fashion-oriented, more conspicuous, and more brand-oriented, while preferring more active sports, more dynamic leisure, and a more sensible life. Another finding is that extreme sports participants seek the distinctive, conspicuous, and latest sportswear benefits.
Keywords
Extreme sports; Subculture; Lifestyle; Sportswear benefits sought;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 4  (Citation Analysis)
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