AUTHOR=Chen Longyin , Guo Jiru , Song Juan 

TITLE="It's in my life": the significance and consumption of lifestyle sports participation among Chinese youth

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 7 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1611549

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2025.1611549

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=IntroductionSports have become an indispensable part of daily life, and an increasing range of lifestyle sports, such as frisbee, flag football, and surfskate, are gradually becoming familiar to and popular among the Chinese youth. This study examines the consumption practices of Chinese youth in lifestyle sports through the analytical lens of Social Practice Theory, highlighting their distinctive cultural significance for this age group.MethodsThis study utilized semi-structured interviews and participant observation to conduct research in Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, China.ResultsThe findings revealed that participation in these sports serves not only as a form of consumption but also as a way for youth to break the discipline of life, shaping distinctions in taste while building tribalism and social interaction.DiscussionThe study further explores the distinctive consumption traits of contemporary Chinese youth and underscore the social value of lifestyle sports. By situating these practices within the framework of Social Practice Theory, the study broadens the scope of sports consumption research and offers nuanced insight into youth behavior and consumption patterns amid China's ongoing social transformation.