Public health, physical exercise and non-representational theory – a mixed method study of recreational running in Sofia, Bulgaria

Abstract

Non-representational approaches hold promise for critical theory in public health. At the same time, they also hold promise for practitioners looking to develop practical dimensions for interventions. This article examines physical activity in Sofia, Bulgaria, a country with low levels of physical activity participation, to draw attention to the potential of non-representational theory for public health. In doing so, this article explores recreational running clubs and runners in Sofia. The role of affect, objects and movement in running routines is used to think through the techniques and technologies of participation. The article concludes by outlining how embracing on openness to bodily movement in public health theory could be beneficial in attempts to improve participation rates in physical exercise.

Keywords:

• non-representational theory
• running
• eastern Europe
• exercise
• affect

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to the running clubs and runners of Sofia, who all made me feel so very welcome. I am grateful and would like to thank Anna Plyushteva for her careful reading and encouragement at numerous stages of this paper. I would also like to thank the editor, Kirsten Bell, for her considered comments and involvement with the manuscript. Finally, I would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments and insights. This paper has been vastly improved by all these people.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Recreational running is running that is done for fitness, exercise and well-being. It is not running professionally or in preparation for competitions. Recreational running clubs are organisations that are not-for-profit, have no mandatory membership or national affiliation and organise weekly or monthly events, clubs runs and larger charity running events.

2. Information from interviews with organisers of both running clubs who are expanding their activities due to the growth in interest and participation.