Typology of Elite Athletes' Leisure Lifestyle

Lifestyle is a choice able area of living activities and one of the most important indicators in measuring modern lifestyle is leisure activities. Today, elite athletes are one of the most important groups in societies whose their lifestyles are at the center of public attention. In this regard, the research is to study the typology of elite athletes' leisure lifestyle. The research method was qualitative and data collection tool were in-depth interviews. The statistical population of the study was expert people familiar with the life of elite athletes with an unknown number, which 19 of them were chosen purposeful and snowball as sample. The data were analyzed by using the thematic analysis technique and 75 codes were identified in 12 sub themes and four main themes. The four main themes addressed were the lifestyles of the elite athletes, with a family- centered style, distinctive style, virtual style and closed style. In continue, the characteristics of each style were expressed. Also, analyzes showed that in typology of elite athletes' lifestyles, the way of occurrence and place of leisure activities are more important than leisure activities themselves and because of changes in the living conditions of athletes, there may be a variety of life styles over time.