Slow learners: Body pedagogics and learning slow ways in sport and physical cultures

Allen-Collinson, Jacquelyn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2146-8000, Lebreton, Florian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4736-1017 and Hockey, John C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5826-8005 (2025) Slow learners: Body pedagogics and learning slow ways in sport and physical cultures. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. doi:10.1177/10126902251360839 (In Press)

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Text (Authors’ accepted copy of an article to be published by SAGE as: Allen-Collinson, J, Lebreton, F, and Hockey, J (2025 in press) Slow learners: Body pedagogics and learning slow ways in sport and physical cultures. International Review for the Sociology of) 15316 Hockey (2025) Allen-Collinson & Lebreton.2025. Slow sensory learning.Walking and sea walking.pre pub.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 4.0. Download (769kB) | Preview

Abstract

This article addresses recent calls for sociological investigation into the embodied incorporation of non-normative cultures, employing the emergent conceptualization of ‘slow’ in sports and physical cultures. In contrast to sports that valorize quantification and maximization of performance via speed, skill and/or endurance, the concept of slow helps analytically explore the pleasures and benefits of slower ways of engagement with sport and physical cultures. Drawing on original findings from three auto-/ethnographic research projects, here we investigate the sensory dimension of learning slow in two distinctive sports/physical activities that were found to share many sensory pleasures (and some corporeal challenges): countryside walking in England and coastal sea walking ( longe-côte ) in northern France. Employing conceptual insights drawn from Chris Shilling's work on body pedagogics, we highlight the importance of learning to ‘do slow’, which often requires considerable somatic and sensory (re)learning to reconceptualize and transform our experiences of ‘fast’ sporting embodiment.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Dedication For John, with love – may your running always be light scales…
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Slow sports; body pedagogics; countryside walking; sea walking / longe-côte; the senses and pleasure; somatic and sensory learning
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports
Depositing User:	Anne Pengelly
Date Deposited:	17 Sep 2025 11:45
Last Modified:	17 Sep 2025 12:00
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15316

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