Competing geographies of recreational running: The case of the "jogging wave" in Sweden in the late 1970s

Abstract

Recreational running encompasses more than one type of exercise. Different running practices offer different, even opposing, conceptualisations of the role of the environment. As illustrated in this paper, historical studies can uncover and explain these variations. By studying the clash between two practices in Sweden in the 1970s - the newly translated idea of North American jogging and an already established tradition of fitness running - this paper qualifies the difference between them and illustrates how they assembled competing geographies. The paper argues that current planning would benefit from acknowledging this multiplicity because different forms of running offer complementary strategies for inclusivity.

Keywords

Fitness exercise; Recreational running; Relational geography; Sport for all; Spatial planning; Welfare society

Published in

Health and Place
2017, Volume: 46, pages: 351-357
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Qviström, Mattias

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG3 Good health and well-being


UKÄ Subject classification

Human Geography
Sport and Fitness Sciences


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.12.002

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/92829