Photographing physical activity: Using visual methods to 'grasp at' the sensual experiences of the ageing body

Abstract

Within the sociology of sport there is a small but rich strand of literature concerned with understanding the sensual experiences of sport and physical activity. Whilst this work has advanced our understanding of the sensual sporting body, less is known about the mature sporting body and the sensual experiences of older adults. Gaining an insight into the sensual experiences of others is no easy task and this article critically reflects on the methods used to ‘grasp at’ (Hockey and Allen-Collinson, 2007) older adults’ embodied experiences of physical activity. An account of the process and outcomes of the method employed is presented along with visual and textual data to illustrate the problems and possibilities of exploring the sensual experiences of the ageing body within the context of physical activity.