Women's distance running and boxing - sensing heat

What is it about?

In recent years, calls have been made to address the relative dearth of qualitative sociological investigation into the sensory dimensions of embodiment, including within physical cultures. This article contributes to a small, innovative and developing literature utilising sociological phenomenology to examine embodiment and the senses. Drawing upon data from three research projects, here we explore some of the ‘sensuousities’ of ‘intense embodiment’ experiences as a distance-running-woman and a boxing-woman, respectively. Our analysis addresses the relatively unexplored 'sense' of heat. Our findings suggest that ‘lived’ heat, in our own physical-cultural experiences, is experienced as both a form of touch and as a distinct sense in its own right. Our analysis coheres around two key themes that emerged as salient: (1) warming up, and (2) thermoregulation (regulating temperature).

Featured Image

Photo by Michael Uebler on Unsplash

Photo by Michael Uebler on Unsplash