Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the experience of pain associated with bodily movement by examining how this experience transforms the perceptual world of the practitioner. The background of the study presented circumstances in which the opportunity to experience pain would be reduced, especially in physical education classes. Due to the negative connotations associated with pain, there is naturally a belief that opportunities to experience it should be decreased. However, is the experience of pain during bodily movement merely a negative one?
While previous studies have analyzed the experience of pain in bodily movement from a phenomenological viewpoint, and implied that it affects our actions, not much consideration has been given to changing our acts correctively by transforming the perceptual world. In order to address this gap, the present study attempted to clarify the meaning of pain experienced during bodily movement by considering the relationship between this experience and the perceptual world of the practitioner. This analysis was based on body-related phenomenology, with a specific focus on Merleau-Ponty’s theory, which posits that the “body schema” of the practitioner is transformed through the experience of pain. This enables the practitioner to perceive things and others in situations where collisions are likely to occur. Without this perception, the practitioner would be unable to respond effectively. Therefore, the experience of pain associated with bodily movement is essential for averting potential dangers such as collisions, thus ensuring safety
