The development of social sustainability through traditional sporting games. A temporal approach with the Elbow Tag

Abstract

This manuscript is based on two studies that investigate the process of social construction of time in the two versions of traditional sports game (TSG) known as Elbow Tag. The internal logic of this TSG has an original role-change system. Changing a rule in version 1 (V1) implies a major modification of the role system in V2. It is a mixed methods design employing an associative and interpretive strategy. It involved 140 participants in two eight-minute games V1 and V2. Different statistical techniques (cross-tabulations, classification trees, T-Patterns) were used to analyse data on motor behaviours (external observation), and content analysis of the strategic and emotional meaning of motor conducts (internal gaze). Multidimensional internal temporal units were used: changes of subroles, (cognitive) number of interactions (relational) and time required for different physical efforts (organic). The temporal plot is constructed by deciphering the exchanges between the Cat, Mouse and Pitcher roles. In V1 and V2 of the Elbow Tag game, each Role caused a singular and multidimensional subjective time. This fact can be observed through the strategic chains, their decisional and emotional interpretation. The findings favour an innovative physical education, in order to educate the students’ temporal motor conducts.