The study of built environments such as gymnasiums, football stadiums, swimmimg pools and skating rinks provides unique information about the historical enclosure of the gendered and sexualised body, the body's capabilities, needs and desires. It illuminates the tensions between the globalising tendencies of sport and the importance of local culture and a sense of place. This collection uses spatial concepts and examples to examine the nature and development of sporting practices. At a time when the importance of spacial theories and spacial metaphors to sport is being increasingly recognised, this pioneering work on the changing landscape of sporting life will appeal to students of the history, sociology and management of sport.

About the Author

Patricia Vertinsky is Professor of Educational Studies at the University of British Columbia and Senior fellow of Green College. She is a social and cultural historian with a particular focus upon gender, space and physical activity.
John Bale is Professor of Sports Studies at Aarhus University, Denmark and Professor of Sports Geography at Keele University, UK. He has pioneered the geographical study of sport and is the author of Running Cultures: Racing Time and Space,

Book Information
ISBN 9780714653433
Author John Bale
Format Hardback
Page Count 284
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 690g