Since JAPA’s inception in 1993, the majority of articles published in it have been located in the quantitative paradigm. These articles have been informative and furthered the field’s understanding about many quantifiable aspects of physical activity in later life. In the course of quantifying physical performance, functional capabilities, and psychological characteristics of the aged, the ineffable and less tangible are either suppressed or absent. Hence, the stories about aging and physical activity are incomplete, and the central character is hidden from the text.

As a result, this special issue of JAPA is devoted solely to qualitative research by providing a variety of examples that illustrate how investigations located in this framework can illuminate our understanding, as well as bring alternative meanings to the way we think about and define aging and physical activity. Furthermore, this special issue will challenge and enrich the way research is reported.