COVID-19 has presented us all with significant challenges in many aspects of our lives. Flinders University Discipline of Behavioural Health presents the Finding a Way exhibition – A collection of photographs captured by Flinders University students depicting their experience of physical activity during the coronavirus pandemic.

The images were taken as part of a Photovoice study, which uses participant photos and commentary to gain insight into their experiences. The analysis of the students' photos and commentary generated a shared understanding of physical activity during COVID-19. The result is an exploration of the collective experience of the students, telling a story through the lens of their cameras.

The analysis revealed the ways in which students explored and embraced new opportunities and gained deeper appreciation for the things they had taken for granted before the pandemic, Finding a Way to negotiate the difficulties imposed by COVID-19.

With a little help from pets, family, friends and the community, through connection to space, by experiencing moments of joy and making gains, students found motivation and support for their continued physical activity despite the losses and limits COVID-19 presented.

We invite you to browse through our Photovoice gallery and hope that this visual representation of the raw and unfiltered experiences of physical activity during COVID-19 inspires your own self-reflection. We’d love to know about your experiences. Click below to find out how you can participate in the project by submitting your own photos.

Finding a way to engage in physical activity during COVID-19 emphasised the importance of CONNECTION TO SPACE when engaging in physical activity. Students' experienced a new awareness of, and connection with those spaces and places in which they were physically active, including both the natural and built environments.

Beach bikes- Photograph by @NickyB

There have been many losses imposed by COVID-19 restrictions. Some of these relate to lost fitness and muscle due to physical activity limitations; other losses are associated with mental wellbeing and experiencing stress. Finding a way to be physically active provided students' with the opportunity of MAKING GAINS in physical and mental wellbeing despite these losses.

Exploring new avenues - Photograph Anonymous