Pole dance: More than sport. An insight in portuguese reality

Abstract

Pole dancing is a sport with a specific competition code of points, divisions and categories, rules and penalties. However there are other reasons beyond the practice of sport that led individuals to seek and maintain in pole dance. This modality presents unique characteristics that distinguish it from other sport activities and is gathering more and more support in Portuguese context. As so, and given the few studies devoted to Portuguese reality, the aim of this investigation was to deepen the knowledge about the practice of pole dancing in Portugal, knowing the motivations that lead the individuals to initiate themselves in this modality, the benefits and the motives they recognize to continue practicing. In data collection, the questionnaire survey was privileged, made with closed-answer and open-answer questions, addressed to Portuguese pole dancing schools and to the Associação Portuguesa de Varão Desportivo (APVD), having participated in the study a total of 99 persons. The results obtained through statistical content analysis, revealed that the motives to initiate this practice are varied and reflect some lack of knowledge of this modality, as curiosity and the wish to experience something new and that it is disruptive emerges as primary purposes. When benefits are addressed, psychological, physical and social gains emerge. When referring the motives to stay in the pole dance, personal overcoming is highlighted as the main reason. Key words: Pole dance, motivations, benefits, Portuguese reality, sport.