Latest news from Loughborough University

15 May 2014

Images show everyday exercise experiences of spinal cord injured

A collection of striking images portraying experiences of people with a spinal cord injury have been unveiled today by researchers at Loughborough University.

The series of 40 photographs were taken by 15 spinal cord injured people as part of Project INSPIRED – a national research project that aimed to gain an insight into how people with a spinal cord injury experience physical activity and exercise.

The photographs capture a wide range of activities and sports from skiing and hand cycling to gardening and wheeling. But they also show some of the daily barriers faced by people with a spinal cord injury, such as blocked pavements and broken lifts.

The amateur photographers range in age from early 30s to late 60s and come from across England.

Project leader Dr Anthony Papathomas from the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport in the University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS) said:

“The collection of photographs gives us a unique perspective into the physical activity experiences of people with a spinal cord injury. The camera gives people greater control and inspires them to think about how they feel about something. It’s a window into real life and it gives the kind of insight you don’t really get just speaking to someone.

“The images show that even the most active people come across obstacles, and that exercising outdoors was particularly liberating for participants.” 

The photographs complement a series of open interviews conducted with the group, which also revealed that poor access to facilities was less of barrier than people’s negative attitudes towards disability.

Dr Papathomas added: “You can have the newest, most accessible gym equipment in the world; but if the staff don’t take an interest in their disabled client base, it’s useless.

Project Inspired (Investigating Narratives and Stories to Promote and Inspire Regular Exercise in the Disabled) was supported through funding from the CocaCola Foundation.

The Reluctant Heroes photography exhibition was unveiled today at a special event at the Aspire National Training Centre in Stanmore to mark Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day. Guests from major organisations like the English Federation of Disability Sport and leading disability charities will be in attendance. The photos will also be exhibited at the International Conference for Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University from 1-3 September.

Notes for editors

Article reference number: PR 14/92

(1) A selection of photographs from the exhibition are available to view on the image gallery.

(2) Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year title in 2008-09 and has been named Sports University of the Year 2013-14 by The Times and Sunday Times. Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

In 2015 the University will open an additional academic campus in London’s new innovation quarter. Loughborough University in London, based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will offer postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.

Contact for all media enquiries

Amanda Overend
Public Relations Officer
Loughborough University
T: 01509 223491
E: A.J.Overend@lboro.ac.uk