Given the significance of the increase of the visual phenomenon in Western Society, new research methods that include a visual component have been developed in the last few years and are growing in popularity, including the field of Human Movement Studies (HMS). This paper will discuss how a group of undergraduate Human Movement Studies (Education) students think about and consider the body, through the use of media pictures.
How HMS undergraduates think about and relate to the body is important in terms of how they think about their professional practice and the influence they might have on students. Taking into consideration the number of idealised bodies (active, healthy and 'well'-shaped) that are portrayed in the media, people tend to 'learn' attitudes and beliefs related to the 'appropriate' body appearance through the media. In this process the media does pedagogical work akin to a 'hidden curriculum' for many people, especially for young ones.
The use of visual methodologies for this study is significant in helping to theorise young people's bodies, particularly on ideas around a 'normal body', the 'ideal body' and the 'HPE teacher's body'. Such methodologies provide the base for visual processes of meaning-making as a structure for people to behave and practice the body in physical activity, health and fitness contexts.