by Hanna-Mari Ikonen
Vol. 17 2026, pages 29–52
Published March 20, 2026
https://doi.org/10.24834/sssf.17.2
Abstract
Drawing on a precarization framework, this article argues that sport sociologists should more explicitly recognize the growing influence of contemporary working life on individuals’ sport and leisure practices. Leisure is an ideal context for diverse physical activities, which are widely recognized as beneficial for health and wellbeing. However, an increasing number of people hold precarious jobs, such as fixed-term or involuntary part-time contracts, or are permanently employed in very low-paid positions. These conditions limit their opportunities for active leisure. This article examines the barriers, enablers and meanings of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among people in Finland who self-identify as experiencing in-work poverty. A qualitative thematic analysis of 417 free-format written narratives and 20 in-depth interviews reveals how LTPA is shaped by employment conditions and influenced by intersectional factors. For some, LTPA is vital for well-being and preserving one’s sense of worth in their challenging situations; for others, it is constrained by time and financial limitations or entirely absent due to energy-draining work. Physical activity may become a significant individual coping mechanism in situations where one is at the mercy of others – a phrase that describes the nature of precarity – but its value may diminish if one is repeatedly forced to settle for only free activities. The article shows that precarious, low-income employment profoundly affects people’s lives from emotions to material conditions. It highlights the importance of integrating the discussions of work inequalities into leisure and physical activity theorizations, as well as into policies aimed at increasing participation in physical activity.
Access full text pdf (17:2)About the Author
HANNA-MARI IKONEN is an Associate Professor of Social Sciences of Sport at the Department of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä. She holds a PhD in Administrative Sciences and a title of Docent in Sociology, and has previously worked as a lecturer of Social Policy. She has published widely on social inequalities, particularly those related to working life and gender. Her current research interests include for example nature and animals as “movement companions”.ith applied sport psychology work and coach education via her own company.
