Abstract

Description of the phenomenon: Within the extant research, a cerebrovascular accident or stroke has often been portrayed as a highly biomedical phenomenon, with UK clinical guidelines focusing primarily on the medicalisation of patients and their recovery. Older adults are at a greater physiological risk of stroke, yet there are limited recommendations specifically for people in later life. This lacuna is especially pertinent in the context of physical activity and exercise, despite an evidence base that demonstrates how older adults benefit greatly from individualised and person-centred approaches to being active.
Aims/objectives: This presentation provides a detailed examination of the current understandings surrounding conceptualisations of ageing, physical activity, and exercise after stroke, from a sociological perspective. It also reviews previous theoretical bases for such work and indicates how a figurational sociological analysis can provide a novel theoretical perspective to explore exercise during stroke rehabilitation for older adults.
Justifications: Figurational sociology has frequently been applied in the context of sport, particularly related to Elias’ ‘Civilizing Process’, and holds promise for an insightful understanding of how the interdependent relationships between professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, exercise professionals) and stroke survivors can powerfully shape opportunities for, and experiences of, physical activity after stroke.
Implications: Recent research demonstrates the need to enhance understanding of the context of community physical activity and exercise for stroke survivors. It is timely, therefore, to investigate how a figurational sociological approach can be used to shape provision and delivery of community rehabilitation for interdependent older adults to engage in exercise after stroke.