Embodied experiences of injured endurance runners: a qualitative meta-synthesis

ABSTRACT

A meta-synthesis was conducted to explore the experiences of ultra-runners who had sustained a running related injury. We identified 10 narrative studies which were synthesised thematically before being re-organised within an Embodiment framework producing 5 taxonomies; The Disciplined Body, Embodied Distress, Corporeal Running Identity, Intersubjectivity of pain and Embodied Coping. Ultra-running is a body centred activity exemplifying Merleau-Ponty’s embodiment. These runners develop a heightened kinaesthetic awareness and embodied sense of space developed through many hours of ‘burning in’ movement pathways. Running as a habituated and pre-reflective action means that when experiencing injury, the entire world of the ultra-runner is disrupted, calling into question their corporeal identity. Ultra-runners who experience pain or injury may have the opportunity to resist dominant pain narratives by adopting an embodied approach to healing. This meta-synthesis has implications for further research, examining the embodied meaning injured ultra-runners make from injury and how this impacts their experiences of their bodies.

KEYWORDS:

• Running
• injury
• ultra-running
• embodiment
• endurance

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leanne Hall

Leanne Hall is a Psychologist and PhD candidate at Sydney University. Her research explores the embodied experiences of endurance athletes using a range of qualitative methodologies including arts based narrative methods, grounded theory and visual analysis. She currently works as the Clinical Lead for a youth charity that provides peer led group workshops and case management to Youth with complex mental health needs.

Paul Rhodes

Paul Rhodes is a Senior Academic at Sydney University. He has expertise in a range of qualitative research methods including grounded theory, autoethnography, bricollage and discourse analysis. Current research interests include focussing on developing forms of thought and practice that acknowledge climate change, place-based identities, the semiotics of distress and the problems with an anthropocentric conceptualisation of meaning.

Anthony Papathomas

Anthony Papathomas is a Senior Lecturer in sport and exercise psychology at Loughborough University. His research employs qualitative methodologies. As an advocate of implementation science he integrates a variety of knowledge translation strategies into his research and teaching.