The following, is a critical review of the Roller Derby Athletics (RDA) website from a sport psychology perspective. The review opens with a brief introduction to roller derby, followed by information on the RDA team and website content. Specific content will be explored as it relates to sport psychology. Concluding with a critic of validity and relevance of psychological content.
Women’s flat track roller derby, stems from theatrical, violent and entertainment based roots. In the beginning, roller derby was more like speed skating and not like the high intensity sport now seen worldwide (English, 2014). Yet, within ten years of the most recent reincarnation, 450 new leagues had formed. Unprecedented growth lead to the formation of The …show more content…
Throughout her participation in a myriad of sporting ventures, Booty Quake has been both player and a coach. She considers herself an athlete foremost (rollerderbyathletics.com). The second contributor to RDA’s website content is Laura Wombwell aka Lilith Nofair. Wombell, is a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer. She is also an active member of the Tri-state Roller girls. The pair compete in roller derby at a high level and have for a number of years. The mission statement for RDA is “Reduce injury, improve your fitness, transform your game”(rollerderbyathletics.com). Included in the "about" section is the hope that the available contents will inspire and support individuals by simplifying the key elements of success within roller derby. Stating further that RDA is “covering the full spectrum of what it means to be an athlete, including cross-training, injury prevention, stretching, nutrition, and sports psychology" (rollerderbyathletics.com). The intent of this website is primarily selling training programs to a derby specific market. Targeting individuals either already involved or interested in playing roller derby yet are …show more content…
However, as the training programs are the fundamental reason for RDA, it is important to address these programs from a sport psychology perspective. The format and structure of the programs align with the cyclic stages of the transtheoretical model. The Transtheoretical model originated from a desire to monitor the stages of modifying addictive behaviour. It is also applied to understanding positive behaviours like exercise (Marcus, Rossi, Selby, Niaura & Abrams, 1992; Marshall & Biddel, 2001). The primary application of the transtheoretical model refers to the stages of change (Marcus et al.,1992). The stages are as follows; Pre-contemplation, in this stage the individual has no clear intention of participating in physical activity within at least a 6-month period. Stage two is the contemplation stage. In this stage the individual has considered becoming physically active in the next 6-months, however, are unable to achieve this goal(Marcus et al.,1992: Marshall & Biddel, 2001; Weinberg & Gould, 2011). The first two stages have no representation on the RDA website of programming structure. This is because RDA target individuals already actively engaged in roller derby. If they are heading to the website and subsequent training programs, they have already reached at least stage three. Stage three is the preparation stage. During this stage the individual has left behind a sedentary lifestyle and has
Women’s flat track roller derby, stems from theatrical, violent and entertainment based roots. In the beginning, roller derby was more like speed skating and not like the high intensity sport now seen worldwide (English, 2014). Yet, within ten years of the most recent reincarnation, 450 new leagues had formed. Unprecedented growth lead to the formation of The …show more content…
Throughout her participation in a myriad of sporting ventures, Booty Quake has been both player and a coach. She considers herself an athlete foremost (rollerderbyathletics.com). The second contributor to RDA’s website content is Laura Wombwell aka Lilith Nofair. Wombell, is a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer. She is also an active member of the Tri-state Roller girls. The pair compete in roller derby at a high level and have for a number of years. The mission statement for RDA is “Reduce injury, improve your fitness, transform your game”(rollerderbyathletics.com). Included in the "about" section is the hope that the available contents will inspire and support individuals by simplifying the key elements of success within roller derby. Stating further that RDA is “covering the full spectrum of what it means to be an athlete, including cross-training, injury prevention, stretching, nutrition, and sports psychology" (rollerderbyathletics.com). The intent of this website is primarily selling training programs to a derby specific market. Targeting individuals either already involved or interested in playing roller derby yet are …show more content…
However, as the training programs are the fundamental reason for RDA, it is important to address these programs from a sport psychology perspective. The format and structure of the programs align with the cyclic stages of the transtheoretical model. The Transtheoretical model originated from a desire to monitor the stages of modifying addictive behaviour. It is also applied to understanding positive behaviours like exercise (Marcus, Rossi, Selby, Niaura & Abrams, 1992; Marshall & Biddel, 2001). The primary application of the transtheoretical model refers to the stages of change (Marcus et al.,1992). The stages are as follows; Pre-contemplation, in this stage the individual has no clear intention of participating in physical activity within at least a 6-month period. Stage two is the contemplation stage. In this stage the individual has considered becoming physically active in the next 6-months, however, are unable to achieve this goal(Marcus et al.,1992: Marshall & Biddel, 2001; Weinberg & Gould, 2011). The first two stages have no representation on the RDA website of programming structure. This is because RDA target individuals already actively engaged in roller derby. If they are heading to the website and subsequent training programs, they have already reached at least stage three. Stage three is the preparation stage. During this stage the individual has left behind a sedentary lifestyle and has