Participant-Reported Benefits of Involvement in an Adaptive Sports Program: A Qualitative Study.
Emma C Lape, Jeffrey N Katz, Elena Losina and 3 others
PMID 29111464WHAT IT FOUND
Adaptive sports participants described physical, social, and athletic identity benefits, but injury fear, transport, cost, time, and lack of program information limited sustained participation.
Staff and peers helped them continue.
Key findings
01Participants described adaptive sports as providing benefits such as improved strength, balance, mood regulation, healthy weight, and daily function.
02Injury risk and the need for time, equipment, effort, and staff expertise were barriers to safe participation.
03Staff and peer relationships promoted participation, and participants said staff were vital for safety.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included 17 people, and 14 were female, so it may not reflect mixed-gender adaptive sports groups. All participants had already taken part in adaptive sports at least once, so the study could not identify barriers that stop people who never participate. It examined a Massachusetts program affiliated with a rehabilitation hospital, so local attractions, facilities, staff, and transportation may differ elsewhere. The study did not measure outcomes or compare groups, so it cannot show that adaptive sports caused physical, social, or mental health benefits. People with cognitive impairment were excluded, so findings may not apply to patients with cognitive disabilities.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that adaptive sports improve health, function, or social outcomes. The study asked 17 people to describe their experiences, and it did not measure outcomes or compare groups.