Social Justice Through Sport and Exercise Studies: A Manifesto

Abstract

This manifesto reimagines social justice in physical cultural studies by renaming, broadening, and building new characterizations of the body, dis/ability, mental health, exercise, social oppression, and sport. We problematize embedded ‘myths’ in exercise and sports studies scholarship for purposes of informing praxis-based research, and emancipatory practical agendas. These ‘myths’ include the embodied tragedy myth, the myth of bodily control, the sport for peace/development myth, the exercise is medicine myth, the healthism and exercise myth, the compulsory ablemindedness and exercise myth, and the exercise is cost-effective myth. Using intersecting and diverging theories, we propose new ways of knowing these taken for granted notions to springboard a new, socially just, emancipatory approach to research and practice.

Results of the MOVE MS Program: A Feasibility Study on Group Exercise for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

“…Recent trends towards using exercise as “medicine” may promote exercise in ways that reinforce personal responsibility for health and ignore socially-imposed, disabling barriers [ 26 , 27 , 28 ] Such approaches can be psychologically damaging for those faced with structural exercise barriers and who experience disability episodically and/or invisibly [ 29 ]. By promoting exercise to avoid disability and framing disability as essentially negative, exercise becomes a means of self-discipline and source of shame and guilt, instead of a resource for well-being [ 30 ]. Given the strong evidence for the physical, psychological, and quality of life benefits associated with exercise, it is vital to ensure that exercise programs are theoretically driven, evidence-based, focused on long-term behavior change, and consider health communication messaging that is ethically sound and uses disability-inclusive language.…”