Physical Education “in All Sorts of Corners”: Student Activists Transgressing Formal Physical Education Curricular Boundaries
Abstract
The data for this paper were generated during a 3-year; participatory action research project, with 41 female coresearchers and activists ages 15-19 years old, within and beyond the walls of a secondary school. The two questions we sought to answer were (a) what happens when we engage with students to challenge formal physical education curricular boundaries and connect with students' physical culture; and (b) what are the benefits and the challenges associated with engaging in this sort of practical activism? The findings suggest that a boundary-crossing approach to physical education can facilitate students in finding their own meanings in physical education and physical activity. Supporting boundary-crossing practices is, however; a time- and thought-intensive pedagogical design, which will be challenging for many physical education teachers.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Supporting boundary-crossing practices is a time- and thought-intensive pedagogical design that will be challenging for many physical education teachers.
“Supporting bou crossing practices is a time- and thou intensive pedagogical design that will challenging for many physical educat teachers (p.255).”
From Pedagogies of embodiment in physical education – a literature review (2022) · cites this paper as Enright & O'Sullivan, 2012
A boundary-crossing approach to physical education can facilitate students in finding their own meanings in physical education and physical activity.
“A boundary-crossing approach to phy education can facilitate students in fin their own meanings in physical educa and physical activity.”
From Pedagogies of embodiment in physical education – a literature review (2022) · cites this paper as Enright & O'Sullivan, 2012
Cites
Authorizing Students’ Perspectives: Toward Trust, Dialogue, and Change in Education
Cook-Sather, A. (2002) · Educational Researcher · doi:10.3102/0013189x031004003 · Cited by 959 · cited 1× · see citing works
“We listened with a view to responding to and with the students (Cook-Sather, 2002).”
Method‘Can I do it in my pyjamas?’ Negotiating a physical education curriculum with teenage girls
Enright, E., & O'Sullivan, M. (2010) · European Physical Education Review · doi:10.1177/1356336x10382967 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Pedagogies of embodiment in physical education – a literature review
Aartun, I., Walseth, K., Standal, Ø. F., & Kirk, D. (2022) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2020.1821182 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Towards an activist approach to research and advocacy for girls and physical education
Oliver, K. L., & Kirk, D. (2014) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2014.895803 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
“(quoted in Enright and O’Sullivan 2012a, 261) In the final debriefing with the [youth] we asked them what they thought we did well.”
BackgroundInfluentialRoutledge Handbook of Physical Education Pedagogies
(2016) · doi:10.4324/9781315743561 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“Achievement goals emphasize the students’ meaning or purpose for engaging in an achievement behavior (Molden & Dweck, 2000; Nicholls, 1984).”
BackgroundAzzarito, L., Macdonald, D., Dagkas, S., & Fisette, J. L. (2017) · Quest · doi:10.1080/00336297.2016.1176935 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
“…ideologies of the gendered and racialized portrayals of what it means to be female, male, Black, Hispanic, White, Muslim, etc. (e.g., Azzarito, 2009a; 2012; Azzarito & Hill, 2013; Azzarito & Katzew, 2010; Azzarito & Sterling, 2010; Enright & O’Sullivan, 2010; 2012; Hill & Azzarito, 2013).”
Fisette, J. L. (2013) · Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2011.649724 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Challenging gender relations in PE through cooperative learning and critical reflection
Sánchez-Hernández, N., Martos-García, D., Soler, S., & Flintoff, A. (2018) · Sport, Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2018.1487836 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Meaningful experiences in PE for all students: an activist research approach
Walseth, K., Engebretsen, B., & Elvebakk, L. (2018) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2018.1429590 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Young People, Social Media and Health
Goodyear, V., & Armour, K. (2018) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781351026987 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Alfrey, L., O'Connor, J., & Jeanes, R. (2017) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2015.1123237 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Tannehill, D., MacPhail, A., Walsh, J., & Woods, C. (2015) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2013.784863 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
“Enright and O’Sullivan (2012) suggest that allowing students’ choice and the opportunity to negotiate the curriculum allows them to link their physical education experiences to their daily lives in meaningful ways.”
BackgroundFitzpatrick, K. (2018) · European Physical Education Review · doi:10.1177/1356336x18796530 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Oliver, K. L., Oesterreich, H. A., Aranda, R., Archeleta, J., Blazer, C., de la Cruz, K., Martínez, D., McConnell, J., Osta, M., Parks, L., et al. (2015) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2013.803527 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
“As such, this perpetuates existing physical education practices that continue to fail to meet the needs of today’s youth (Azzarito, Solmon, and Harrison 2006; Enright and O’Sullivan 2012).”
BackgroundInfluentialStudent voice as risky praxis: democratising physical education teacher education
Enright, E., Coll, L., Chróinín, D. N., & Fitzpatrick, M. (2017) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2016.1225031 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
“This advocacy has taken the form of school-based projects where teachers, researchers and students have worked together to negotiate/co-construct physical education curricula and physical activity experiences (Enright and O’Sullivan 2010, 2012; Fisette 2011).”
BackgroundResultSelf-citationLuguetti, C., Aranda, R., Enriquez, O. N., & Oliver, K. L. (2019) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2018.1476336 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
“This activist approach, inspired by years of research with youth (Enright & O’Sullivan, 2012; Fisette, 2011; Oliver, 2001; Oliver & Kirk, 2014; Oliver & Oesterreich, 2013); was designed as a means of listening and responding to students in order to better facilitate their interest, motivation and…”
MethodO'Connor, J., Jeanes, R., & Alfrey, L. (2016) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2014.990368 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
The Embodied Nature of Physical Literacy: Interconnectedness of Lived Experience and Meaning
Durden-Myers, E., Meloche, E., & Dhillon, K. K. (2020) · Journal of Physical Education Recreation & Dance · doi:10.1080/07303084.2019.1705213 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Connecting Learning across School and Out-of-School Contexts
Rajala, A. J., Kumpulainen, K., Hilppö, J. A., Paananen, M., & Lipponen, L. (2016) · SensePublishers eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-6300-414-5_2 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Gard, M., Hickey-Moodey, A., & Enright, E. (2013) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2012.690341 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Self-citationGender and corporal expression activity in physical education
Sevil, J., Abós, Á., Aibar, A., Julián, J. A., & González, L. G. (2016) · European Physical Education Review · doi:10.1177/1356336x15613463 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“…in PA (e.g. less self-determined type of motivation, less perceived competence and support to autonomy, lack of predisposition to some content areas), which, in some cases, limit their participation in PE classes and their adherence to PA (Enright and O’Sullivan, 2012; Inchley et al., 2011).”
BackgroundEnright, E., & O'Sullivan, M. (2013) · Journal of Teaching in Physical Education · doi:10.1123/jtpe.32.4.394 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Self-citationSustainability in the Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum: an ecofeminist analysis
Olive, R., & Enright, E. (2021) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2021.1888709 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“Eimear teaches, researches and writes about youth voice and young people’s participation and learning in health and physical education, and in sport (Enright & O’Sullivan, 2010, 2012).”
BackgroundSelf-citationStudents as researchers for promoting school improvement and inclusion: a review of studies
Sandoval, M., & Messiou, K. (2020) · International Journal of Inclusive Education · doi:10.1080/13603116.2020.1730456 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Such examples are compiled by Fielding and Bragg (2003). Finally, the locations where the trainings took place seemed to be of importance.”
BackgroundLuguetti, C., Oliver, K. L., Dantas, L., & Kirk, D. (2017) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2016.1263719 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
‘Where do I go from here?’: learning to become activist teachers through a community of practice
Oliver, K. L., Luguetti, C., Aranda, R., Enríquez, O. N., & Rodriguez, A.-A. (2017) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2017.1350263 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“Student-Centered Inquiry as Curriculum (SCIC) is an activist approach (Oliver and Oesterreich 2013) inspired by years of research with youth (Ennis 1999; Oliver 2001; Oliver and Lalik 2004; Oliver, Hamzeh, and McCaughtry 2009; Hamzeh and Oliver 2010; Fisette 2011; Enright and O’Sullivan 2012).”
BackgroundMethodGuadalupe, T., & Curtner-Smith, M. (2019) · Sport, Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2019.1674275 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Reading and writing the game: Creative and dialogic pedagogies in sports education
Knijnik, J., Spaaij, R., & Jeanes, R. (2019) · Thinking Skills and Creativity · doi:10.1016/j.tsc.2019.03.005 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Enright and O’Sullivan (2012), O’Connor et al. (2016) and Oliver and Lalik (2004) all discuss curriculum redevelopments that have sought to engage students more extensively in co-creating alternative PE curricula through supportive, dialogic approaches.”
And if you can’t hear us?: students as customers of neo-HPE
Sperka, L., & Enright, E. (2019) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2019.1611556 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Self-citationKirk, D., & Oliver, K. L. (2014) · Apunts Educación Física y Deportes · doi:10.5672/apunts.2014-0983.es.(2014/2).116.01 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Casey, A., & Schaefer, L. (2016) · doi:10.1080/13573322.2015.1108300 · Cited by 21
“he began to see the students as his chosen community (Lindeman-Nelson, 1995) and, like the students in Enright and O’Sullivan’s (2012) study, they became a part of the change and therefore part of a sustainable story of PE that they co-created.”
BackgroundMcEvoy, E., MacPhail, A., & Enright, E. (2016) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2014.994176 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Self-citationSevil, J., Abós, Á., Julián, J. A., Murillo, B., & García-González, L. (2015) · RICYDE Revista Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte · doi:10.5232/ricyde2015.04106 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“I just remember rugby”: Re-membering Physical Education as More Than a Sport
Casey, A., & Quennerstedt, M. (2015) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2014.977430 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Teachers’ perceptions of physical education content and influences on gender differences
Castejón, F. J., & Giménez, F. J. (2015) · Motriz Revista de Educação Física · doi:10.1590/s1980-65742015000400006 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“…themselves would grant meaning to the physical activity, and their participation would relate to their gender identity (Fisette & Walton, 2014; Oliver et al., 2009), and this means connecting with their lifestyles to make relevant proposals (Enright & O’Sullivan, 2012; Kirk & Oliver, 2014).”
BackgroundBeyond Lip Service: Making Student Voice a (Meaningful) Reality in Elementary Physical Education
Iannucci, C., & Parker, M. (2022) · Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance · doi:10.1080/07303084.2022.2108177 · Cited by 14
Howley, D., & O'Sullivan, M. (2020) · Journal of Teaching in Physical Education · doi:10.1123/jtpe.2019-0142 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationO'Connor, J., & Alfrey, L. (2015) · doi:10.1080/13573322.2013.789013 · Cited by 11
“Indeed, more researchers are adopting student as researcher approaches (Enright & O’Sullivan, 2012; Fielding, 2004).”
BackgroundCastro-García, M., Barquero-Ruiz, C., & López-Villar, C. (2025) · Journal of Teaching in Physical Education · doi:10.1123/jtpe.2023-0352 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Policy and Advocacy in Physical Education: Looking Back, Looking Forward
Marttinen, R., & Beighle, A. (2024) · Kinesiology Review · doi:10.1123/kr.2024-0007 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Hodges-Kulinna, P., Wahl-Alexander, Z., Nam, K., & Kinder, C. J. (2024) · Kinesiology Review · doi:10.1123/kr.2024-0009 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Enhancing Fundamental Movement Skills: Understanding Student Voices
O’Sullivan, C. Ó., Parker, M., Comyns, T., & Ralph, A. (2020) · Journal of Teaching in Physical Education · doi:10.1123/jtpe.2019-0170 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Factor structure of physical state of female students of higher education institution
Gurieieva, A. M., & Klopov, R. (2014) · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.1015378.v1 · Cited by 8
“Analysis of scientific methodic literature witnesses about increasing of quantity of girl-students, having serious deviations in health [4-9, 17-26].”
BackgroundTeachers’ Perspectives of Enacting Student Voice in Primary Physical Education
Iannucci, C., der Smee, C. V., & Parker, M. (2023) · Journal of Teaching in Physical Education · doi:10.1123/jtpe.2023-0029 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Prado-Botana, M., Carretero, M., Garrote, L. V., & Vale, R. F. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20247186 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“This feeling is intensified in females [48], who exhibit less activity during the lessons, highlighting the need to address gender disparities in PE.”
BackgroundJanemalm, L., Barker, D., & Quennerstedt, M. (2020) · Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy · doi:10.1080/17408989.2020.1727869 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Braga, L., Elliott, E., Jones, E., & Bulger, S. M. (2015) · doi:10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.3n.4p.62 · Cited by 7
“This means that PE curriculum should include content that fits the contextual environment in which it is being delivered, reflecting and contributing to the popular PA culture (Enright & O’Sullivan, 2012).”
BackgroundGuadalupe, T., & Curtner‐Smith, M. D. (2019) · Journal of Teaching in Physical Education · doi:10.1123/jtpe.2019-0050 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Oeckel, V. V., Vandendriessche, A., Deforche, B., Altenburg, T., Koobasi, M., Pauwels, N., & Verloigne, M. (2024) · Scandinavian Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1177/14034948241290854 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“…51], three studies included the Description of the interventions. seven studies focused solely on increasing physical activity [27,33,35– 38, 47, 49] , whereas other studies also targeted other health behaviours Satisfaction with the participatory process and the impact of using…”
InfluentialGuijarro-Romero, S., Mayorga-Vega, D., & Viciana, J. (2019) · Cultura_Ciencia_Deporte · doi:10.12800/ccd.v14i41.1269 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Guadalupe, T., & Curtner‐Smith, M. D. (2019) · Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education · doi:10.1080/25742981.2019.1593867 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Influence of School Bullying on Motivation in Physical Education Classes
Murillo-Moraño, J., Villén, J. C., Montero, Á. M., & Sillero, J. D. D. B. (2024) · Journal of School Violence · doi:10.1080/15388220.2024.2393144 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Students’ motivation toward this subject also depends on the curricular content chosen by the teacher, and therefore, it is important to provoke variety within it (Enright & O’Sullivan, 2012).”
Efektifitas Penggunaan Inovasi Media Kiorroga terhadap Kemampuan Motorik Kasar Anak Usia Dini
Rahayu, E., Syafrida, R., Ferianto, F., Nurunnabilah, N., & Syahnurmala, H. (2023) · Jurnal Obsesi · doi:10.31004/obsesi.v7i4.5096 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Pedersen, J., Thornquist, E., Natvik, E., & Råheim, M. (2019) · Physiotherapy Theory and Practice · doi:10.1080/09593985.2019.1709232 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Physical Activity Experiences of Adolescent Girls Living in a Rural Community
Zuest, L. (2020) · Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal · doi:10.1123/wspaj.2020-0014 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The peculiarities of physical development of pupils and students
Menshikh, E. E. (2013) · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.840503.v1 · Cited by 3
Kiley, J., & Robinson, D. B. (2016) · Alberta Journal of Educational Research · doi:10.55016/ojs/ajer.v62i1.56124 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“For example, in recent years a number of purposeful sex- and genderresponsive measures and classes have been introduced into some schools’ PE programs (e.g., see Enright & O’Sullivan, 2010, 2012a, 2012b; Felton et al., 2005; Kirk, Fitzgerald, Wang, & Biddle, 2000; Robinson, 2013).”
BackgroundParticipatory Approaches With Girls in Physical Activity Contexts: A Systematic Review
Reyes, L., Miñano, M. J. C., López, L. M., & Oliver, K. L. (2026) · Journal of Teaching in Physical Education · doi:10.1123/jtpe.2025-0119 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
ANTRENÖR VE BEDEN EĞİTİMİ ÖĞRETMENLERİNİ
Atılgan, D. (2021) · Ekev Akademi Dergisi · doi:10.17753/ekev1869 · Cited by 1
Shelley, K. (2018) · doi:10.14264/uql.2018.330 · Cited by 1
“There is evidence of these problems enduring in PETE, with Enright and O'Sullivan (2012) noting more recently that: Student teachers must be engaged in imagining possibilities and facilitated in developing the confidence to work with young people in collaborative ways both in school and out.”
BackgroundKirk, D., & Oliver, K. L. (2014) · RACO (Revistes Catalanes amb Accés Obert) (Consorci de Serveis Universitaris de Catalunya) · doi:10.5672/apunts.2014-0983.cat.(2014/2).116.01 · Cited by 1
“Enright & O’Sullivan, 2010, 2012; Fiestte, 2011; Fisette & Walton, 2011; Oliver, Hamzeh, & McCaugh-try 2009; Oliver & Lalik, 2004; Oliver & Oesterreich, 2013).”
Kato, S. (2024) · Journal of individual psychology · doi:10.1353/jip.2024.a922703
“In studies examining emotional aspects, courage was defined as an emotional trait that manifests in response to adversity and promotes boundary crossing (Enright & O’Sullivan, 2012; Lipnack & Stamps, 1993; Tanggaard, 2007; Yamazumi, 2007).”
BackgroundGilbert, J. (2019) · doi:10.33915/etd.3771
“…inquiry-based approaches is needed to aid in designing more meaningful experiences for students (K-12) in physical education (Kretchmar, 2000; Enright & O’Sullivan, 2012), and for developing a curriculum to enhance physical education and experiences beyond the classroom (O’Connor, Jeanes, &…”
BackgroundEnright, E. (2017) · Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks · doi:10.1057/978-1-137-48562-5_7
Self-citation
- Authors
- Enright, E., & O'Sullivan, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Limerick (IE)
- ORCID
- Enright, Eimear
- Venue
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-06
- Volume
- 83
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 255-267
- ISSN
- 0034-5377 (ISSN-L)
- 0270-1367
- 2168-3824
- OpenAlex
- W2075691124
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 14.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Physical Education and Pedagogy
- Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Sports and Physical Education Studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Physical Education and Sports Studies
- Keywords
- physical education, student activism, physical culture, high school students, participatory action research, physical activity, curriculum boundaries, teacher challenges
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Curriculum, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Physical Education and Training, Social Support, Community-Based Participatory Research, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review