Mari Kristin Sisjord

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Fasting, Kari & Sand, Trond Svela (2022). Combining coaching with family life. A study of female and male elite level coaches in Norway. Sports Coaching Review. ISSN 2164-0629. doi: 10.1080/21640629.2021.1984047. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The challenges of combining work and family life has been considered a women’s issue, also reflected in research. In recent years, scholars have argued that the work-family interface may also concern male coaches. Therefore, the present study takes both genders into account. We made qualitative interview with 13 women and six men. The findings revealed similarities as well as differences. For women, support from the spouse was decisive for taking on and maintaining the position, whereas men primarily made the decisions on their own. The responsibility for childcare was far more important among the women. The male coaches seemed more traditional, except for two younger men who gave priority to the fatherhood role. The findings are discussed in relation to a multi-level model, where individual choices/practice may be understood in relation to requirements from the organisation of sport as well as gender roles in the society at large.

• Fasting, Kari; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sand, Trond Svela (2021). Hva skal til for å få flere kvinner som trenere i toppidretten? In Tjønndal, Anne (Eds.), Idrett, kjønn og ledelse. Fagbokforlaget. ISSN 9788245035353. p. 40–55. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Fasting, Kari & Sand, Trond Svela (2021). Gendered pathways to elite coaching reflecting the accumulation of capitals. Sport, Education and Society. ISSN 1357-3322. 26(5), p. 554–566. doi: 10.1080/13573322.2020.1732904. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  While earlier research on coaches’ careers and the development of coaching expertise appears ‘gender blind’, the focus of this article on the underrepresentation of women in elite-level coaching is how various forms of capital interact in recruitment to coaching. Using Bourdieu's analytic concepts, the study explores Norwegian female and male elite-coaches’ pathways to coaching positions with respect to qualifications and recruitment procedures. Qualifications are understood as being both individual athletic performance level (physical and symbolic capital) and coaching education (cultural capital). Qualitative interviews were completed with 24 female and 12 male elite-level coaches. The findings revealed that relatively more women than men had previously been elite-level athletes. The majority of the participants had coaching education from the sports organisations, while a few had coaching education from their university studies. Relative to gender, two men had no coaching education and several women had completed a programme developed by the sport organisations – with the aim of increasing women's participation in elite-level coaching. Recruitment of coaches seemed to happen through informal channels, which indicates the benefits of social capital acquired through acquaintances and social networks. This indicates symbolic capital in terms of individual athletic achievement. The use of Bourdieu’s analytic concept of capital and the ‘labyrinth’ metaphor facilitated identification and understanding of the longer pathways and challenges women must negotiate on their way to elite-level coaching positions when compared to men. The article closes with the implications of the findings, with particular attention to coaching education and the recruitment/employment procedures of coaches.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2019). Gender, sexuality, and sports: Shifting attitudes in snowboarding culture. In Maguire, Joseph; Falcous, Mark & Liston, Katie (Ed.), The Business and Culture of Sports: Society, Politics, Economy, Environment. Macmillan Publishers Ltd.. ISSN 9780028664989. p. 321–335. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Business and Culture of Sports: Society, Politics, Economy, Environment is a peer-reviewed, academic volume that has one Editor in Chief, Joseph A. Maguire, and two Associate Editors, Mark Falcous and Katie Liston. The Business and Culture of Sports provides global perspectives on such topics as the sustainable design of sports stadiums, the use of social media and advertising in sports marketing, the economic impact on cities hosting mega events, sports governance models, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, coaching and player development, gender representation in sports, sports violence and injury, and many others. Though aimed primarily at undergraduate students, this set is also a valuable resource for high school students as well as a general audience interested in the expanding world of sports studies.

• Thorjussen, Ingfrid M. & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2019). Inclusion and exclusion in multi-ethnic physical education: an intersectional perspective. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education. ISSN 2574-2981. doi: 10.1080/25742981.2019.1648187. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Current educational policies on inclusion emphasise viewing ethnically diverse populations as a resource, yet scholars have pointed out that the Norwegian school system seems to value diversity to an only limited extent. This critique applies to physical education (PE) in Western countries. In this article, based on students’ stories from a multi-ethnic PE context, an intersectional perspective is used to investigate how processes of inclusion and exclusion are revealed. Data consist of semi-structured interviews with 17 students of diverse backgrounds and fieldnotes from observation in 56 PE lessons. Three questions are addressed: How are students’ cultural backgrounds acknowledged by teachers and students in a PE class? How are aspects of culture and ethnicity present in the activities being taught? How are aspects of race, ethnicity, and culture reflected in the communication in two multi-ethnic PE classes? The findings indicate that knowledge of students’ cultural backgrounds is not considered important for PE and that taught activities silently reflect a taken-for-granted majority culture. This paper makes some reflections on the implications of those findings.

• Fasting, Kari & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2019). Norway : gender, governance and the impact of quota regulations. In Elling, Agnes; Hovden, Jorid & Knoppers, Annelies (Ed.), Gender Diversity in European Sport Governance. Routledge. ISSN 9781138070530. p. 131–140. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2019). Snowboarding : women's agency from outsiders to insiders in the organisation. In Elling, Agnes; Hovden, Jorid & Knoppers, Annelies (Ed.), Gender Diversity in European Sport Governance. Routledge. ISSN 9781138070530. p. 165–175. Full text in Research Archive
• Fasting, Kari; Sand, Trond Svela & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2018). Coach-athlete sexual relationships: Coaches' opinions. International journal of sports science & coaching. ISSN 1747-9541. 13(4), p. 463–470. doi: 10.1177/1747954117753807. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The focus of this article is the opinions and attitudes towards coach–athlete sexual relationships presented through the voices of female (n = 24) and male (n = 12) elite-level coaches in Norway. The results are based on in-depth interviews and the data were developed around the following question: “There are examples of athletes that fall in love with their coach and about sexual relationships between a coach and an athlete—what are your reflections around such coach–athlete relationships?” The coaches found such relationships very problematic and unacceptable. When it occurs, openness, i.e. to talk about it, is important. But the rule of thumb was that the coach–athlete relationship had to come to an end. In their elite-coaching role, these coaches believed it is important to have strict rules and clear boundaries. Furthermore, they should be aware of the power that they have and not exploit it. The results are discussed with respect to the professionalization of the coaching role, and the importance of including ethics in the education of coaches.

• Thorjussen, Ingfrid M. & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2018). Students' physical education experiences in a multi-ethnic class. Sport, Education and Society. ISSN 1357-3322. 23(7), p. 694–706. doi: 10.1080/13573322.2018.1467399. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  As western countries have become increasingly diverse, education is often emphasized as one of the most important arenas for social integration. However, research within physical education over the past decades has highlighted how students with non-western backgrounds experience processes of ‘othering’, exclusion, and marginalization in the subject. In the Norwegian context, we have little knowledge about how these processes work within multi-ethnic PE lessons. In addition, scholars have pointed to the tendency of PE research on race/racism and ethnicity to focus on the minoritized ‘other’, while leaving out the complexity of the multi-ethnic encounter. By applying an intersectional lens, our aim is to investigate students’ experiences in a multi-ethnic co-educational PE context. Specifically, we ask how the students’ multiple identities may influence their experiences within PE, and what processes of inclusion and exclusion are revealed through their narratives. The study is based on ethnographic fieldwork in two PE classes, in an urban secondary school in Norway. Data for this article is drawn from one of the classes and consists of written field notes from observation of 26 PE lessons and semi-structured interviews with 11 students. Selection criteria for the interviews were based on gender, ethnic background, visible skills, and attitudes expressed towards the subject, as well as students belonging to different social groupings within the class. Data were analyzed using thematic narrative analysis. In the article, three students’ narratives are discussed. The findings indicate that, while the multi-ethnic learning context is experienced as an arena in which to develop social relations across cultural differences, the students’ stories also reveal how ethnic and cultural differences cause tensions in relation to students’ interaction during activities and in the changing room. In these tensions, power relations embedded across students’ ethnic, gender, and class identities become manifest.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sørensen, Marit (2018). ‘I would not be satisfied if I had not given it a try’: the expectations and experiences of students in a high school skiing program. European Journal for Sport and Society (EJSS). ISSN 1613-8171. 15(2), p. 118–133. doi: 10.1080/16138171.2018.1457283. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The article presents results from a panel study among students who attended a high school program dedicated to the development of athletes in various skiing disciplines. Using the conceptual framework of Bourdieu, the study examined the students’ social backgrounds, their expectations of succeeding in the field of skiing as well as in the field of education (secondary school), and the extent to which their expectations were fulfilled. Integral to the latter, were the students’ negotiation of uncertainty and realities related to fulfilment of expectations. The investigation was conducted at the first and the third year at school, employing quantitative and qualitative methods. In general, the students came from families with well-educated parents having a distinct sport habitus. During the school period, the students’ expectations as to both skiing achievements and good school grades were reduced. Many had experienced challenges. About one-fifth of the sample had quit during the three years and almost one-third had considered quitting at one point. The qualitative interviews revealed how the students managed to adjust and re-evaluate their ambitions, particularly with respect to skiing.

• Fasting, Kari; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sand, Trond Svela (2017). Norwegian Elite-Level Coaches: Who Are They? Scandinavian Sport Studies Forum. 8, p. 29–47. doi: 10.1080/14660970.2017.1331163. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Previous studies have shown that there is an underrepresentation of female coaches and a lack of opportunities for women to coach males, particularly at the elite-level. Very few studies, however, have focused on elite-level coaches’ demographics and whether these vary with respect to gender. The aim of this article is to get an overview of the gender distribution of Norwegian national team coaches with respect to different demographic variables, such as age, education and marital status. Furthermore, athletic background, coach education and coaching experience are examined. The results are based on data from an online survey among coaches who in 2012 worked as national team coaches (n=197). The main result is that the female and male coaches seem to be very similar, which is in contrast to the majority of previous research among elite-level female coaches. Another contradiction to previous studies, which mostly consist of qualitative research, is that the present quantitative study is based on a sample of national team coaches from all sports in Norway. Only 14% of the elite-level coaches are women. The explanation for this underrepresentation is discussed with respect to structural barriers that may be particularly relevant for elite-level coaching: sex-typing, stereotyping and homologous reproduction.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Fasting, Kari & Sand, Trond Svela (2017). The impact of gender quotas in leadership in Norwegian organised sport. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics. ISSN 1940-6940. 9(3), p. 505–519. doi: 10.1080/19406940.2017.1287761. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The purpose of the article is to investigate the impact of gender quotas as a means to equalise the gender representation in the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sport (NIF), with particular attention to the composition of executive boards. According to NIF's here. Law Book, a certain number of both genders is required when electing boards and committees at all levels in the organisation. The law also states rules for exemption when not fulfilled. Based on qualitative interviews the study explores how the quota regulation is practised at various levels in the organisation. The results revealed that interviewees from the higher levels (sport federations and regional confederations) were well aware of the quota regulation, less so on the club level. To the question whether the quota regulation guided the composition of the boards, most of the federations and all the regional confederations followed the rule, at the club level about two-thirds of the boards were composed in accordance with the regulation. The results are discussed in relation to criteria for ‘strong’, ‘moderate’ and ‘weak’ regulation, which in terms of fulfilment appears ‘strong’ at the highest level in the organisation, and ‘moderate’ or ‘weak’ at the club level.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sørensen, Marit (2016). Skigymnaselever : forventninger, erfaringer og utbytte. In Seippel, Ørnulf Nicolay; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Strandbu, Åse (Ed.), Ungdom og idrett. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202449674. p. 315–334. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2015). Assessing the sociology of sport: On lifestyle sport and gender. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. ISSN 1012-6902. 50(4-5), p. 596–600. doi: 10.1177/1012690214552432. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  On the 50th anniversary of the ISSA and the IRSS, an influential Norwegian scholar in understanding sporting cultures, Mari Kristin Sisjord, considers the trajectory, challenges, and future opportunities for sociological inquiry about lifestyle sport and gender. It is noted that the emergence of lifestyle sport research was built on interpretive inquiry, the rise of the cooperative new leisure movement, and subculture research stimulated by cultural studies. Driven by diverse theoretical influences, including Bourdieu and Foucault, questions of power relations, voluntary risk-taking, commercialization, mediation, identity development, and community-building have been key topics. A central challenge has been to untangle the complexities of gender in the often high risk context of lifestyle sports perceived as masculine; here, understanding how women negotiate their identities presents important questions. In considering future research, Sisjord follows Thorpe’s counsel in recognizing the need to put female participation and leadership in lifestyle sport into historical and cultural contexts as the exercise of power and organizational engagement are redefined.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2014). When grown-up kids go snowboarding : A study of participants at a camp for adult snowboarders. European Journal for Sport and Society (EJSS). ISSN 1613-8171. 11(3), p. 205–226. doi: 10.1080/16138171.2014.11687942. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Snowboarding has traditionally been viewed as an activity best suited to the younger generation, due to the age of the participants and its origin in youth cultures and counter-culture values. Studies show that adult people compose a minority of the snowboarders, which has been paid little attention in scholarly research. The present study focuses on adult snowboarders exploring why they snowboard and how they fit into the snowboarding culture. Theoretically, the study combines a generational aspect with Giddens' perspectives on self-reflexivity and identity. The empirical investigation is based on interviews with participants at a camp for adult snowboarders, seven males and one female, all except one were aged between 33 and 41 years, one was 19 years old. The results reveal that snowboarding appears to be a central part of the interviewees' lifestyle and identity. The quest for challenges and skill improvement are predominant motives for involvement, where bodily experiences and expressions through riding are elaborated with reference to snowboarding styles. The age differences are mainly experienced in mixed-age contexts. Therefore, the mature riders have established patterns of social interaction varying from ad hoc relations to more permanent communities.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2014). Jentesatsing i snowboard. In Lippe, Gerd von der & Hognestad, Hans K (Ed.), Kjønnsmakt i idrett og friluftsliv. Novus Forlag. ISSN 9788270997930. p. 335–349. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2013). Women's snowboarding - some experiences and perceptions of competition. Leisure Studies. ISSN 0261-4367. 32(5), p. 507–523. doi: 10.1080/02614367.2012.685334. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article focuses on female snowboarders’ experiences with, and perceptions of, snowboard competitions. The article is based on a study conducted at an international women’s snowboard camp. The purpose of the camp was to discuss strategies for promoting females’ participation in the snowboard organisations and in snowboard competition. Interviews were held with eight participants aged 18–31 years. Most of the participants had been previously involved in competition. Their experience had been both negative and positive. Most of the participants perceived snowboard facilities (Big air and Half-pipe) as being too large for females and a possible constraint on participation. Moreover, the study’s findings reveal ideas concerning alternative competition formats as well as arguments for ‘women-only’ sessions as a feasible way to reach more female snowboarders, to provide skill enhancement, and to increase participation in the competitions. The findings are discussed in light of the development of snowboarding and Bourdieu’s theoretical framework.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2013). Women battling for a space in snowboarding. In Pfister, Gertrud & Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (Ed.), Gender and Sport: Changes and Challenges. Waxmann Verlag. ISSN 9783830928737. p. 123–139. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2012). Networking among women snowboarders: a study of participants at an International Woman Snowboard Camp. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 22(1), p. 73–84. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01135.x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The article focuses on women snowboarders' networking and relationships with national snowboard associations and commercial organizers. The study was conducted at an International Women Snowboard Camp, which attracted women snowboarders from five different countries. A qualitative interview was undertaken with participants from each country, eight in total, plus an interview with one of the organizers (a woman). The results indicate that participants from the Nordic countries adopt a more proactive stand to promote snowboarding by organizing specific groups in relation to national associations, particularly the Norwegians and the Finnish. Furthermore, some collaboration across national boarders appeared. The only Swedish participant was associated with several snowboarding communities; whereas the Italian (only one) and the Latvian snowboarders had links with commercial organizers, apparently male dominated in structure. The findings are discussed in the light of Castells' network theory and identity construction in social movements, and gender perspectives. The participants' doing/undoing gender reveals different strategies in negotiating hegemonic masculinity and the power structure in the organizations. Narratives from the Nordic participants reflect undoing gender that impacts on identity constructions in terms of project and/or resistance identity. The Italians and Latvians seemingly do gender while undertaking a subordinate position in the male-dominated structure.

• Hanstad, Dag Vidar; Breivik, Gunnar; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Skaset, Hans B (2011). Avrunding og fremtidsblikk. In Hanstad, Dag Vidar; Breivik, Gunnar; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Skaset, Hans B. (Ed.), Norsk Idrett - Indre spenning og ytre press. Akilles forlag. ISSN 9788272862281. p. 525–532. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2011). Nye ungdomsidretter : bidrag til mangfold og endring av idrettsfeltet. In Hanstad, Dag Vidar; Breivik, Gunnar; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Skaset, Hans B. (Ed.), Norsk Idrett - Indre spenning og ytre press. Akilles forlag. ISSN 9788272862281. p. 87–104. Full text in Research Archive
• Kristiansen, Elsa; Roberts, Glyn & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2011). Coping with negative media content: The experiences of professional football goalkeepers. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. ISSN 1612-197X. 9(4), p. 295–307. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2011.623451. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The present study explored the experiences of three football goalkeepers coping with negative media coverage. Goalkeeping is a hard position to play as you become scrutinized from all angles, and keepers are often blamed for losses by the media. The study of the media as a stressor is a relatively unexplored field. In this investigation, we chose qualitative semi-structured interviews as an explorative method. The respondents who were interviewed came from three different teams in a European Premier Division. Results revealed that the coping strategies used by the three goalkeepers may be organized into three major categories; social support, avoidance and problem-focused coping. The evaluation of the coach meant more than the game reports printed in the press. To cope with the perceived negative content in the media, the goalkeepers avoided buying, reading or watching news reports, or giving interviews on match day. With experience, the goalkeepers reported getting better in focusing on the task and the next move, and did not worry as much about the match reports. Experience seemed to be crucial for this specialist position.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Fasting, Kari & Sand, Trond Svela (2011). Inkludering av ungdom med minoritetsbakgrunn i NIF-organisert idrett :. Tidsskrift for ungdomsforskning. ISSN 1502-7759. 11(2), p. 71–92. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Norges Idrettsforbund og Olympiske og Paralympiske Komité (NIF) har en uttalt målsetting om en åpen og inkluderende idrett. Hvordan kommer dette til uttrykk i den praktiske virksomheten? Denne artikkelen, som bygger på data fra en undersøkelse om likestilling og mangfold i den organiserte idretten (NIF), retter søkelyset mot arbeid med inklusjon av ungdom med minoritetsbakgrunn på ulike organisasjonsnivå i NIF: særforbund, idrettskretser og idrettslag. Datamaterialet er kvalitative intervju med representanter fra ulike organisasjonsnivå. Resultatene viser at NIFs overordnede politikk i varierende grad nedfelles i særforbundenes virksomhet, i idrettskretsene og i idrettslagene. Av særforbundene skiller Fotballforbundet og Klatreforbundet seg ut som aktive pådrivere i arbeidet med inkludering. Mange idrettslag oppfattet slike spørsmål som lite aktuelle i sitt rekrutteringsområde. Representanter for lag som hadde erfaring med inkludering og rekruttering av minoritetsungdom, tilkjennega varierte erfaringer og synspunkter.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2009). Fast-girls, babes and the invisible girls : gender relations in snowboarding. Sport in Society: Cultures, Commerce, Media, Politics. ISSN 1743-0437. 12(10), p. 1299–1316. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The purpose of this essay is to examine gender relations in snowboarding through conceptions and experiences articulated by female participants. The main objective is to focus on relations between female and male snowboarders as well as relations between different groups of females. The empirical investigation was conducted in conjunction with a workshop organized by the Norwegian Snowboard Federation. Methods employed were participant observation and personal interviews. The results reveal male domination in different snowboarding contexts during practice and competition. Moreover, the analysis revealed different femininities among the female snowboarders, characterized within the subculture as the Babes, Fast-girls, and the Invisible Girls. The results are discussed in relation to perspectives on subculture and Bourdieu's conceptions of field, capital and masculine domination.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Kristiansen, Elsa (2009). Elite women wrestlers' muscles : physical strength and a social burden. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. ISSN 1012-6902. 44(2-3), p. 231–246. doi: 10.1177/1012690209335278. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Wrestling is a male-dominated sport in terms of participation, commonly perceived as a masculine sport due to the requirement of muscular strength, courage, fighting spirit, as well as and the element of combat. Integral to achieving wrestling skills and physical capability is muscularity, something which may contradict common perceptions of feminine body appearance. The objective of this study is to examine female elite wrestlers¿ enactment of the wrestler¿s role and how they experienced enhancement of skills and bodily structure. This was done by means of a qualitative interview of eight Norwegian elite wrestlers comprising four females and four males in the age group 17 to 32 years. Since the wrestlers practice in a mixed gender setting the males were included as being part of the interaction. The study revealed different ways in which the female wrestlers were doing femininity which also seemed to be contextually bound. This was particularly related to strength training and overall performance as wrestlers. The seniors had apparently accepted strenuous strength training and big muscles, whereas the juniors were ¿holding back¿ giving priority to the ¿private body¿. The seniors had accepted the ¿athletic body¿ and muscularity with its social costs.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Kristiansen, Elsa (2008). Serious athletes or media clowns? Female and male wrestlers' perceptions of media constructions. Sociology of Sport Journal. ISSN 0741-1235. 25(3), p. 350–368. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The present Study explores Norwegian female and male elite wrestlers' perceptions of media coverage of wrestling and of themselves as athletes. In-depth interviews were conducted with four female and four male elite wrestlers. Data analysis revealed that the wrestlers experienced media attention as limited and gender stereotyped, with a dominant focus on hegemonic masculinity. In addition the wrestlers perceived that media coverage distorted their sport performance by focusing on sensational aspects and scandals rather than on actual performances and results. some of the athletes' descriptions of representations in the sports media and commercial television illustrated that, in their perception. they were viewed more as media clowns than as serious athletes.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2007). Snowboarding: Subculture, competitive sport or showmanship? The role of physical education and sport in promoting physical activity and health. University of Jyväskylä. p. 284–288. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2007). Whose tricks count in snowboarding? The changing role of public, civic and private sectors in sport culture : proceedings of the 3rd EASS Conference / Hannu Itkonen, Anna-Katriina Salmikangas and Eileen McEvoy (eds.). University of Jyväskylä. p. 126–130. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Kristiansen, Elsa (2007). Wrestling, physicality and gender, The changing role of public, civic and private sectors in sport culture / Hannu Itkonen, Anna-Katriina Salmikangas & Eileen McEvoy (Eds.). University of Jyväskylä. p. 71–74. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2005). Snowboard : en kjønnet ungdomskultur. Tidsskrift for ungdomsforskning. ISSN 1502-7759. 5(2), p. 65–82. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Selv om snowboardidretten har utviklet seg til olympisk vinteridrett og en del av den internasjonale idrettsverdenen, er det mange trekk fra alternative ungdoms(sub)kulturer som preger aktiviteten og miljøet. Den maskuline dominansen i snowboard er framtredende. Dette har sammenheng med røtter i alternative idretts-/ungdomskulturer og mannsdominans i idrett generelt. Artikkelen presenterer empiri som omhandler ulike sider ved jenters status og posisjon, samt stil og symbolbruk innenfor snowboarkulturen. Jenters underordnede posisjon må forstås i sammenheng med eksisterende kjønnsorden og aktivitetens løse organiseringsform. Det gis konkrete eksempler på hvordan jenter arbeider innad i organisasjonen for å bedre jenters muligheterog rettigheter.

• Fasting, Kari & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2001). Framveksten av idrettssosiologi som eget fagfelt. Sosiologi i dag. ISSN 0332-6330. 31(1), p. 88–94. Full text in Research Archive
• Fasting, Kari; Sisjord, Mari-Kristin & Imsen, Gunn (2000). Kjønn og idrett, Kjønn og likestilling i grunnskolen. Gyldendal Akademisk. p. 123–136. Full text in Research Archive

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• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2023). Women in snowboarding. Routledge. ISBN 9780367440152. 96 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Seippel, Ørnulf Nicolay; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Strandbu, Åse (2016). Ungdom og idrett. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN 9788202449674. 342 p. Full text in Research Archive
• Hanstad, Dag Vidar; Breivik, Gunnar; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Skaset, Hans B. (2011). Norsk Idrett - Indre spenning og ytre press. Akilles forlag. ISBN 9788272862281. 539 p. Full text in Research Archive

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• Fasting, Kari; Sand, Trond Svela & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2010). Equality, Equity and Diversty in Norwegian Sports. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction This paper presents some results from a project about the current state of equality within Norwegian sports and fitness activities, especially with regard to gender. The project was initiated by The Norwegian Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud, and carried out by a research group at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. The results discussed in this paper answered the following two main questions: How are women and men represented in Norwegian sport with regard to participation in executive boards in the different sport associations and as top level coaches? To what extent is work being done at the various organizational levels to create a better gender balance among leaders and coaches? Methods Representatives from 24 individual sport associations, 6 regional confederations and 43 clubs were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with MAXQDA 2007, a qualitative data analysis program. Results The findings showed that there were large differences between the number of female coaches (8.3%) and the number of female executive board members (37 %) and female presidents (17.9 %) in the different sport associations. Several national associations had implemented special measures to recruit more women, but the Football Association distinguished itself as the sport that worked most systematically, and with the most clearly defined goals, both with respect to recruitment of female coaches and leaders. As regards measures to recruit female coaches, two associations (Tennis and Basket) display an awareness of the fact that boys/men and girls/women are different and that this should be taken into account in order to get increased recruitment. This could lead to a change in the culture, which was a goal that the Powder Puff Girls project in the Snowboard Association also was working towards. Discussion The results are discussed in relation to strategies for change and/or lack of such, which has been implemented in Norwegian sport particular in relation to the concepts of equity and equality. Equality is defined as ?treating persons the same?, and equity as ?giving all persons fair access to social resources, while recognizing that they may well have different needs and interests? (Kidd & Donnelly 2000). To fulfill the fairness goals of gender equity in sport it is necessary to have equality of access, recognize inequalities then take steps to address them. But since equality in sport still does not exist, equity is required to ensure that sport becomes equally accessible to everyone in society--according to Sport England (2000). Sport England (2000) Making English Sport Inclusive: Equity guidelines for governing bodies. London, Sport England Kidd, B. & Donnelly, P. (2000) Human Rights in Sports, International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 35(2), 131-148

• Sand, Trond Svela; Fasting, Kari; Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Thoresen, Trine & Broch, Trygve Beyer (2009). Norwegian elite-level coaching: A male preserve? Full text in Research Archive
• Broch, Trygve B.; Fasting, Kari; Sand, Trond Svela; Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Thoresen, Trine (2009). Accommodating Gender – Recruitment Work in Norwegian Sport Clubs. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sørensen, Marit (2007). Skigymnas - et godt valg? : delrapport fra en undersøkelse av skigymnas i Norge. i sporet. p. 38–39. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Kristiansen, Elsa (2007). Bi-gendered embodyment among female elite wrestlers. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørensen, Marit & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2007). En undersøkelse om Skigymnas. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Resultater fra en undersøkelse av et kull "skigymnasiaster" som startet i 2003 ble presentert. Data viser at forventningene til å gjøre idrettskarriere er motiv for å starte på skigymnas hos over 90 % av ungdommene, mens forhholdsvis få opplever å få oppfylt en slik forventning. Elevene scoret høyere på opplevelse av det motivasjonelle klima som prestasjonsorientert mot slutten av perioden på Skigymnas. Data viste klare sammenhenger mellom utbrenthet , opplevelse av motivasjonelt klima som prestasjonsorientert og ensidig idrettsidentitet.

• Kristiansen, Elsa & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2007). Wrestling with gender stereotyping in media constructions. A study of Norwegian elite wrestlers. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2007). "We need to push each other". Networking among female snowboarders. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Roberts, Glyn C.; Ommundsen, Yngvar; Sørensen, Marit; Fasting, Kari & Miller, Blake W. (2007). Trivsel, vennskap og mobbing i idretten. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Kristiansen, Elsa (2006). Wrestling, Physicality and Gender. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2006). Skating and youth culture. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2006). Girls and snowboarding: Current trends, challenges ,and possibilities. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2006). Whose Tricks Count in Snowboarding? Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sørensen, Marit (2006). Resultater etter 3 år ved skigymnaset. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2006). Jenter og snowboard. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2006). Snowboarding: Subculture, Competitive Sport or Show(wo)manship? Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Snowboarding is part of the countercultural activities that developed in direct opposition to the dominant sport cultures from 1960s. The informal playful and expressive style was a reaction to the rationalized, bureaucratized and patriarchal sports in Western societies. The development of snowboarding may be understood in relation to global processes in sport as well the new leisure philosophy underlying the countercultural activities. The purpose of the study is to discuss current trends in snowboarding in light of the development of snowboarding from a resistant subculture to a competitive sport. The paper presents results from two different studies. The first was conducted at a one week snowboard camp in Norway, in 1996. The camp had about fifty participants. The majority were 15-20 years, only one forth females. Methods were observation and qualitative interviews (four of each gender). The second dataset stems from a workshop I attended in October 2004, which was organized by The Norwegian Snowboard Federation, aiming at promoting girls? participation in snowboarding. The workshop attracted about 15 participants, among them three men. After the workshop I interviewed six females in age from 18-28 years. Additionally, the dataset includes interviews with two professional riders, both females. The results uncover diversity and contradictions in the athlete role related to the snowboarding image, perceptions of training and skill performance as well as organizational matters. The paper will also address issues related to the mainstreaming of snowboarding versus predominant values and features in the snowboarding subculture.

• Miller, Blake W.; Roberts, Glyn C.; Ommundsen, Yngvar; Sørensen, Marit; Fasting, Kari & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2005). Predicting positive and negative affect in youth sport : an achievement goal theory perspective. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sørensen, Marit (2005). Forventninger til skigymnaset og erfaringer fra 1. års elever ved Hovden vidaregåande skule. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sørensen, Marit (2005). Skigymnas: Forventninger og erfaringer fra 1. års elever. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2005). Tomboys, babes and the invisible girls in snowboarding. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørensen, Marit & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2005). Forventninger til skigymnaset og erfaringer fra 1. års elever ved Norges Toppidrettsgymnas på Lillehammer. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2005). Girls and snowboarding. Challenges and possibilities. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørensen, Marit & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2005). Forventninger til skigymnaset og erfaringer hos 1. års elever ved Norges Toppidrettsgymnas på Geilo. Full text in Research Archive
• Miller, Blake W.; Roberts, Glyn C.; Ommundsen, Yngvar; Sørensen, Marit; Fasting, Kari & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2005). Associations between achievement goals, peer acceptance, companionship, and conflict among competitive youth athletes. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Recent research has indicated that achievement goals may likely effect a number of social aspects within specific youth sports, such as sport morality (Miller et al., 2005), and peer relations (Ommundsen et al., 2005) in specific contexts (i.e., competitive youth soccer). The purpose of our study was to extend recent research (Ommundsen et al., in press) by examining relationships between achievement goal orientations and aspects of social relationships, namely peer acceptance, companionship, and conflict, among youth participating from a variety of competitive youth sport contexts. Participants were 149 (male, n=70; female, n=79; 13-15 years) competitive Norwegian youth athletes participating in sports overseen by the Norwegian Sport Federation. Participants responded to questionnaires examining goal orientations (Roberts et al., 1998), companionship and conflict (Weiss & Smith, 1999), and perceived peer acceptance (Harter, 1988). To examine the associations between the variables, we conducted canonical correlation analyses. A significant overall multivariate relationship emerged, Wilk’s lambda = .89, F (6, 288) = 2.93, p<.01. Follow-up analyses revealed two significant and meaningful functions, one reflecting a high task/low ego orientation and the other a moderate task/high ego orientation. Function one indicated high task/low ego orientation was positively associated with perceived peer acceptance as well as companionship. The second function revealed a positive association with peer acceptance, as well as a positive association with conflict. When these participants reported task orientation exclusively, they also reported perceiving acceptance by their peers. Further, companionship in sport was also reportedly extant when participants were highly task oriented. However, when both task and ego orientations were reported, participants indicated mixed perceptions of their peer relations. Specifically, these youth athletes indicated acceptance by their peers, yet reported a reduced quality of friendship by means of conflict with their peers as well. Thus, for those youth moderately high or high simultaneously in task and ego orientation, mixed perceptions of relationships with their peers were clearly perceived. Our findings extend those of Ommundsen et al. (2005)by indicating that when more than one goal orientation is exercised, peer relationships in sport may well become less than harmonious. The implications of these findings in respect to working with coaching youth athletes will be discussed. Furthermore, as the present study constitutes findings from the pilot study of a larger research project, the findings will be addressed in respect to specific aims for our large-scale research agenda.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Evaluering av FUNI prosjektet. Resultater og utfordringer. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørensen, Marit & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Relationships between perceived motivational climate, parental support/pressure and enjoyment. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Flere jenter på brett. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Youth culture, sport and fair play. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Sørensen, Marit (2004). Personal experience from participation in a high school program dedicated to the development of skiers and snowboarders in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Ungdomskultur og idrett. Utfordringer for morgendagens idrett. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Snowboarding: From a subculture to competitive sports. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Ungdomskultur og vinteraktivitet. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). "Only a sport for the tough guys?". Gender, youth culture and snowboarding. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Youth culture, gender and snowboarding. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2004). Youth culture, sport and fair play. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2003). Ungdomskultur på skiarenaen. En studie av alpint, telemark og snowboard. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Hartmann-Tews, Ilse; Rulofs, Bettina & Leutkens, Sascha Alexandra (2003). Youth culture, resistence or mainstream on the ski arena? : a study of downhill, telemark and snowboarding. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2003). It's a sport for the tough guys : gender and snowboarding. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2003). Youth sport - for all? Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). Young people's involvement in sport : hopes and realities [Online]. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2001). Skaper idretten et kommersielt press på barn og ungdom? Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (2001). Fysisk aktivitet og idrett i ungdomskulturen. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Christensen, Karen; Guttmann, Allen & Pfister, Gertrud (2001). Wrestling, International encyclopedia of women and sports. Macmillan Reference. p. 1286–1288. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Papaioannou, Athanasios; Goudas, Marios & Theodorakis, Yannis (2001). Wrestling, physicality and gender identity. Full text in Research Archive
• Fasting, Kari; Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Coakley, Jay & Dunning, Eric (2000). Sport ans society research around the globe : Nordic Countries, Handbook of sports studies. Sage Publications. p. 551–553. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (2000). Wrestling with gender. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (2000). Utfordringer for morgendagens ungdomsidrett. En evaluering av FUNI prosjektet. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (2000). Bryting - ingen frøkensport. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Græsdal, Lindis (2000). "Drop in sport": A place for drop outs? Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (1999). Idrettstrender og ungdomskultur. Et eksempel fra snowboard. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Foredraget starter med en oversikt over deltakelse i organisert idret t samt endringer i løpet av siste 10-15 år. Videre diskuteres endring er i rela til arenaforflytning. Deretter fokuseres det på begrepet un gdomskultur slik det har vært benyttet i ungdomsforskning internasjon alt, og dagens ungdomsidrett drøftes i henhold til forståelsen av ung domskultur. I foredragets andre del presenteres empiriske resultater fra en undersøkelse om snowboard, spesielt med henblikk på organiseri ng, subkultur, symbolbruk, stil og identitetsutvikling.

• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (1999). How to promote young people's participation in organised sport? Evaluations of a project on alternative youth sport programs in Norway. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper will present a project with focus on facilitating alternat ive youth sport, and further present some preliminary data from an ev aluation this project. The project is run by The Norwegian Olympic Co mmittee and Confederation of Sport with the purpose of developing alt ernative models for organising sport for young people. The project is grounded in a Sport for all philosophy, where recruitment and drop o ut from sport are central issues. The project will be run for four ye ars; 1997-2000. The individual sports federations and regional sport organisations are invited to participate. Altogether 10 sub projects are included. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used to e valuate the project. The author's role is to coordinate the qualitati ve part which is done by observation of various activities and also p ersonal interviews with sport leaders and participants. The qualitati ve evaluation started in 1998 and will continue to the end of the pro ject period. Some preliminary results from the qualitative evaluation are presented; issues concerning the athletes' own participation in planning and organising the activities, and also alternative models f or facilitating sport activ

• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (1999). Ungdomskultur og idrett. Utfordringer for NIF/FUNI. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Først diskuteres frafall fra organisert idrett før en går nærmere inn på hva ungdom søker når de begynner med idrett. Etterpå diskuteres u tfordring idretten står overfor mht å imøtekomme flest mulig aktive s ine behov. Dette illustreres med "idrettens trivselstrekant". Denne p roblematikken relateres videre til en "idealtypisk" modell der en ser idrttens innhold slik den framstår i tradisjonell tilrettelegging i forhold til de unges ønsker og behov. Til slutt diskuteres alternativ e organiseringsmåter bl.a. med bakgrunn i empiriske undersøkelser om ungdoms deltakelse i idrett.

• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (1999). Ungdom og frafall. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Innledningsvis gis en beskrivelse av utviklingstrekk i idretten med h ensyn til nedgang i enkelte idretter og tilstrømming til nye. Dette f orklares relasjon til globalisering og endringer i folks aktivitetspr eferanser. Deretter drøftes termen frafall, før det gis empiriske fun n fra kvantitative og kvalitative undersøkelser, primært fra Norge. T il slutt rettes oppmerksomheten mot de utfordringer idretten står ove nfor i framtida, der man bør søke mot et mer differensiert og fleksib elt idrettstilbud som treffer ungdomsgruppa bedre enn i dag.

• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (1999). Psykisk utvikling - mestringsopplevelse og idrettsglede. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Foredraget gir først en kort innføring i temaet psykisk utvikling rel atert til ulike teorier. Deretter redegjøres for begrepet identitet; personlig, sosial og kulturell identitet. Dette følges opp med empiri om ungdoms motiver for å begynne med idrett og ungdoms behov slik de møter idretten, noe som settes opp mot idrettens innhold og tilbud t il ungdommen. I forlengelsen av dette presentereempiri om ungdoms opp levelser i idretten, om mestring, trivsel etc. og det motsatte. Dette munner ut i en diskusjon om frafall og utfordringer når det gjelder tilrettelegging av idrett for ungdom. Siste delen av diskusjonen rela teres til psykisk utvikling og psyko-sosial helse.

• Fasting, Kari; Sand, Trond Svela; Sisjord, Mari Kristin; Thoresen, Trine & Broch, Trygve Beyer (2008). Likestilling og mangfold i norsk idrett : bedre med flere på banen! Likestillings- og diskrimineringsombudet. ISSN 9788292852224. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin & Græsdal, Lindis (2003). Evaluering av prosjektet "Fleire ungdomar i norsk idrett" 1997-2000 : sammendragsrapport : kvalitativ del. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Mehus, Ingar & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). En kvalitativ evaluering av FUNI prosjektet : delprosjekt Nord-Trøndelag Idrettskrets. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Græsdal, Lindis & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). En kvalitativ evaluering av FUNI prosjektet : delprosjekt Finnmark Idrettskrets. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Græsdal, Lindis & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). En kvalitativ evaluering av FUNI prosjektet : delprosjekt FUNI Håndball. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). En kvalitativ evaluering av FUNI prosjektet : delprosjekt Telemark Idrettskrets. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Græsdal, Lindis & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). En kvalitativ evaluering av FUNI prosjektet : delprosjekt Aust-Agder Idrettskrets. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Græsdal, Lindis & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). En kvalitativ evaluering av FUNI prosjektet : delprosjekt Østfold Idrettskrets. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Græsdal, Lindis & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). En kvalitativ evaluering av FUNI prosjektet : delprosjekt FUNIVANN. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Græsdal, Lindis & Sisjord, Mari Kristin (2002). En kvalitativ evaluering av FUNI prosjektet : delprosjekt Vel-Volley. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive
• Sisjord, Mari-Kristin (1999). Evaluering av prosjektet "Fleire ungdomar i norsk idrett! 1997-2000. Sammendragsrapport. Kvalitativ del. Fase 1. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive

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