Banter – that is, blokey humour that blurs the line between playfulness and aggression – plays an important role in men reaching their fitness goals by creating bonds, helping them feel supported and allowing them to ‘be themselves’.

That’s the finding of a new study published in Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health by an international team of researchers led by Dr Timothy Budden from The University of Western Australia’s School of Human Sciences.

The team explored the role that banter, including teasing, ribbing and insults, played in the men’s weight-loss program MAN v FAT Soccer, a UWA-led initiative that leverages competition to help men beat the battle of the bulge.

“Humour appeared to be an important aspect of health-promoting efforts for men,” Dr Budden said. “We wanted to better understand the role it plays to provide insight into how to better design health programs aimed at men.”

Thirty soccer players were recruited for the study, participating in interviews where they reflected on their experiences with banter during their involvement with the weight loss program.

"We found that banter can bring men together, helping them feel good, providing respite from responsibilities and mental health issues and enabling them to be themselves.

“And that it can be a tool to not only develop resilience for themselves but also as a means of providing support for others. Making light of our own or others’ troubles with like-minded others can alleviate stress and provide a sense of validation.”

Dr Timothy Budden
School of Human Sciences

However, Dr Budden said, banter could cause trouble if not carefully managed.

“This type of humour sometimes blurs the line between playfulness and aggression and can be used as a tool to get under other people’s skin, which can isolate or offend those in the firing line,” he said.

Dr Budden said designers of health programs should highlight the potential positive and negative effects of banter and manage reactions to it by openly acknowledging that playful and well-meaning humour could sometimes look aggressive.

“At the end of the day positive forms of banter, if well managed, can help men remain committed to their health goals by creating perceptions of social bonds, mutual support and contributing to a buzz or excitement in the program environment,” Dr Budden said.

Dr Ben Jackson and Associate Professor Michael Rosenberg from UWA’s School of Human Sciences were co-authors on the Making sense of humour among men in a weight-loss program: A dialogical narrative approach study.