‘The agenda is to have fun’: exploring experiences of guided running in visually impaired and guide runners

ABSTRACT

The partnership between a visually impaired runner (VIR) and sighted guide runner (SGR) constitutes a unique sporting dyad. The quality of these partnerships may profoundly impact the sport and physical activity (PA) experiences of visually impaired (VI) people, yet little is known about the experiences of VIRs and SGRs. This study aimed to explore qualitatively the running experiences of VIRs and SGRs. Five VIRs and five SGRs took part in in-depth, semi-structured interviews (M length = 62 minutes) exploring their running journeys and perceptions of running-together. We analysed the dataset using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were generated, comprising: becoming and being a running team; a multi-faceted intercorporeal experience; running-together promotes change; and disabling social interaction within running. Participants were generally positive about their running experiences, highlighting a range of benefits derived from the activity. Nevertheless, some examples of barriers to participation were also identified. Although the positive experiences described by the runners suggest guided running holds promise to increase PA in VI people, our findings illustrate the importance of directing attention towards developing high-quality relationships between VIRs and guides, alongside reinforcing the need for further change to promote inclusivity.

KEYWORDS:

• Disability
• enjoyment
• Para-sport
• physical activity
• visual impairment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dona L. Hall

Dona L. Hall is currently a PhD student at the University of Lincoln, UK. Her research focuses on promoting physical activity in older adults and how game-based interventions may impact uptake and adherence. Other interests include disability sports and parkrun.

Jacquelyn Allen-Collinson is Professor Emerita in Sociology and Physical Cultures at the University of Lincoln, UK. Her research interests include the lived experience of endurance in sport and physical cultures, together with the sociology of the senses, weather, and identity work.

Patricia C. Jackman

Patricia C. Jackman is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Lincoln, UK. Her research in sport, exercise, and physical activity coheres around the areas of optimal psychological states, self-regulation, and goal setting. She has published quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method studies, as well as systematic reviews in these areas.