ABSTRACT Gymnastics and dance classes can be an excellent tool in combating physical inactivity, promoting a healthier lifestyle for practitioners. FitDance® is a modality with a fun and relaxing class, I which the teacher develops choreographies together with students. This study aimed to verify the motivational factors for the practice of FitDance® in gyms in a Brazilian city, as well as to verify possible differences in motivational factors among women of different age groups. The sample consisted of 89 women, aged 18 to 50 years old, who had been practicing FitDance® for at least one year. Participants answered the Exercise Motivations Inventory-2 and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The results indicate that the motivational factors Competition (p = 0.003, η2 = 0.28) and Health Rehabilitation (p = 0.021, η2 = 0.22) showed significant differences between women aged 21 to 30 years (Group 1) compared to those aged 41 to 50 years (Group 3). Younger age women seem to be more motivated by competitiveness. On the other hand, older women have greater motivation in relation to Health Rehabilitation. We conclude that FitDance® is a highly motivating modality, regardless of the age group.

Resumo: Este artigo investigou a trajetória de vida esportiva das atletas da equipe de corrida de aventura (CA) Atenah, formada exclusivamente por mulheres. A CA é uma competição multiesportiva, formada por equipes mistas, com ao menos uma pessoa de gênero distinto dos demais membros. A pesquisa qualitativa de caráter descritivo consistiu em entrevista semiestruturada com cinco atletas da equipe Atenah. Observou-se que as atletas utilizam estratégias de “subversão” e “conservação”, segundo Bourdieu, e constituem “agências”, segundo a teoria de Dworkin e Messner. O fato de organizarem uma equipe exclusivamente feminina pode ser entendido como “estratégia de subversão” ou a constituição de “agência resistente”. Paradoxalmente, utilizaram “estratégias de conservação” para se manterem no esporte, configurando, assim, “agência reprodutiva”. Conclui-se que o apoio e incentivo da família foi fundamental para o sucesso das atletas, porém, o engajamento das mulheres na corrida de aventura pode ser ameaçado pelas instituições do casamento e da maternidade.

Abstract: This research investigated the histories of athletes in the all-female adventure race (AR) team Atenah. AR is a multi-sport competition of mixed teams with at least one person whose gender is different from the other members’. This qualitative, descriptive study consisted of a semi-structured interview with Atenah’s five members. The athletes use ‘subversion’ and ‘conservation’ strategies, according to Bourdieu, and establish ‘agency,’ according to Dworkin and Messner. That they organized an all-female team can be understood as a ‘subversion strategy’ or the establishment of ‘resistant agency.’ Paradoxically, Athena’s athletes also used ‘conservation strategies’ to remain in sports, thus creating ‘reproductive agency.’ Therefore, their families’ support and encouragement were crucial to their success, but women's engagement in adventure race may be threatened by marriage and motherhood as institutions.

Resumen: Este artículo investigó la trayectoria deportiva de las atletas del equipo de carrera de aventura (CA) Atenah, formado exclusivamente por mujeres. La CA es una competencia multideportiva, formada por equipos mixtos, con al menos una persona de género diferente de los otros miembros. La investigación cualitativa de carácter descriptivo consistió en entrevista semiestructurada con cinco atletas del equipo Atenah. Se observó que las atletas utilizan estrategias de "subversión" y "conservación", según Bourdieu, y constituyen "agencias", según la teoría de Dworkin y Messner. El hecho de que organicen un equipo exclusivamente femenino puede entenderse como "estrategia de subversión" o la constitución de "agencia resistente". Paradójicamente, utilizaron "estrategias de conservación" para mantenerse en el deporte, configurando así "agencia reproductiva". Se concluye que el apoyo e incentivo de la familia fue fundamental para el éxito de las atletas; sin embargo, el compromiso de las mujeres en la carrera de aventura puede verse amenazado por las instituciones del matrimonio y la maternidad.