Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Male Wheelchair Handball Athletes.

Although scarce, some recent studies have observed good self-reported quality of life (QOL) among wheelchair users who are involved in adapted sports. These findings have encouraged further investigations, particularly investigations of combined sociodemographic and sport factors in the study of QOL. In this study we analyzed the association between sociodemographic and sport factors with QOL in a cross-sectional study of 105 male wheelchair handball (WH) athletes with higher and lower QOL. We used the World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale to evaluate the respondents QOL; and we used a sociodemographic questionnaire to evaluate associated sociodemographic and sport factors. A logistic regression analysis found these athletes' good QOL to be generally characterized by stable marital status, disability due to cerebral palsy, the use of locomotion/mobility resources, full independence, bi-weekly training, and the use of a custom-made wheelchair for around 70% of their daily living activities. These findings support the role of such sociodemographic and sport factors in determining QOL among these WH respondents. These findings reveal the important issues to be considered in the sport modality when attempting to improve the QOL and functionality of these participants and perhaps WH athletes worldwide.

Do athletes with physical disabilities perceive their quality of life similarly when involved in different Paralympic Sports?

This study aimed to compare the quality of life perception among Boccia, Para-Athletics, and Wheelchair Tennis athletes. Methods: Eighty-six athletes with physical disabilities participated (Boccia = 41; Para Athletics = 14; Wheelchair Tennis = 31) in the study. The data were collected by applying the Brazilian Portuguese version of the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire and a short survey for demographics. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the relationship among the variables considering a confidence level of 95%. Results: Wheelchair Tennis athletes were older and Para-Athletics athletes were involved in this sport for a longer period. The majority of participants perceived positively their overall quality of life and health. Wheelchair Tennis athletes presented higher total quality of life perception scores in comparison to Boccia athletes. Regarding the specific domains of quality of life, Para-Athletics athletes presented higher scores in the psychological domain in comparison to Boccia and Wheelchair Tennis. Wheelchair Tennis presented higher social scores in comparison to Boccia and higher environment scores in comparison to Boccia and Para-Athletics. No differences were found in the physical domain in all groups. Conclusion: The evidence points to the influence of athletes' demographics, the specific nuances of their impairments, and the Paralympic Sports practiced in perceiving the quality of life. Suggestions are made to further explore the factors that may influence the quality of life perception among Paralympic Sports athletes.(AU)

Seated limits-of-stability of athletes with disabilities with regard to competitive levels and sport classification.

In this study, we asked whether wheelchair rugby (WR) classification and competitive level influence trunk function of athletes with disabilities, in terms of seated limits-of-stability (LoS). Twenty-eight athletes were recruited from international- and national-level WR teams, with each group exhibiting marked differences in years of sports practice and training volume. Athletes were also distributed into three groups according their classification: low-point (0.5-1.5-point); mid-point (2.0-2.5-point); and high-point (3.0-3.5-point). Athletes were asked to sit on a force platform and to lean the body as far as possible in eight predefined directions. Center of pressure (COP) coordinates were calculated from the ground reaction forces acquired with the force platform. LoS were computed as the area of ellipse adjusted to maximal COP excursion achieved for the eight directions. ANOVAs reveal that LoS were not different when international- and national-level players were compared (P=.744). Nevertheless, LoS were larger in players from the high-point group than from the low-point group (P=.028), with the mid-point group being not different from both (P>.194). In summary, (i) competitive level does not impact LoS measures and (ii) LoS are remarkably distinct when comparing both extremes of the WR classification range. Our results suggest that, as a training-resistant measure, LoS could be a valid assessment of trunk impairment, potentially contributing to the development of an evidence-based WR classification.

Quality of life of Brazilian wheelchair tennis athletes across competitive and elite levels

Abstract Aims This study aimed to identify Brazilian wheelchair tennis athletes' quality of life and to compare the perception scores between competitive and elite athletes. Methods Participants were wheelchair tennis athletes (N = 31) from Brazil (males = 25, females = 6) divided into two groups: competitive and elite. Data was collected using the Brazilian version of the WHOQOL-Bref. The WHOQOL-Bref asks two general questions, and is thereafter divided into four main domains: 1) physical, psychological, social, and environment, which give us an understanding of their overall quality of life perception. Results The results showed that overall, 29 out of the 31 athletes perceived their quality of life positively, regardless of the competitive level. However, statistically higher perceptions were found in the physical domain and the total score of quality of life of the elite group. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that even though participation in high-performance adapted sports may offer a stressful and exhausting environment, elite wheelchair tennis athletes from Brazil perceive themselves as having a better QoL than competitive athletes.(AU)

Esportes de raquete para deficientes intelectuais leves: uma proposta fundamentada na pedagogia do esporte / Racquet sports for mild intellectual disabilities: a proposal based on the pedagogy of sport

a prática dos esportes de raquetes ainda parece ser inexistente em diferentes instituições brasileiras de ensino, formais e não formais, e não são oportunizadas para pessoas com necessidades especiais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é ofertar uma proposta pedagógica para a vivência destes esportes para alunos com deficiência intelectual leve. A proposta fundamentou-se em princípios como normalização, socialização e da diminuição do sentimento de preconceito. Ela está composta por itens descritos no manuscrito, que ser referem desde a apresentação desse esporte para os alunos até a consecução das atividades a serem desenvolvidas. Conclui-se que a proposta pedagógica é uma aproximação entre os esportes de raquete e alunos com deficiência intelectual, e que está alicerçada nas prerrogativas da Pedagogia do Esporte.

The practice of racket sports still seems to be nonexistent in various Brazilian educational institutions, both formally and informally, and they are not provided for people with special needs. The objective of this work is to offer a pedagogical proposal for experiencing such sports for students with mild intellectual disabilities. The proposal was based on principles such as standardization, socialization and decreased feelings of discrimination. The proposal is made up of items described in the manuscript, beginning with presenting the sport to the students and going on to carrying out various activities needed for proficiency. We conclude that the pedagogical proposal is a means to bring together racquet sports and students with intellectual disabilities, and this is based on the prerogatives of Sport Pedagogy.

Cuerpo, discapacidad y estigma en el origen del campo del deporte adaptado de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, 1950-1961: ¿una mera interiorización de una identidad devaluada? / Body, disability, and stigma in the origins of the field of adapted sport in the city of Buenos Aires, 1950-1961: a mere interiorization of a devalued identity?

Si bien el deporte adaptado es considerado el principal integrador de las personas con discapacidad, desde los Disability Studies se considera que el mismo refuerza la opresión sufrida por este colectivo. Sin embargo, estas posturas no reconstruyen históricamente el éthos construido en el deporte. En función de realizar un aporte a esta discusión, analizo aquí los modos de pensar y sentirse discapacitado construidos en el origen del campo del deporte adaptado, en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, entre los años 1950 y 1961. Para ello, parto del análisis de contenido de la prensa escrita de los primeros clubes para personas con discapacidad y de entrevistas en profundidad a los protagonistas del origen del deporte adaptado y de la fisiatría local.

Although adapted sport is considered the main integrator of people with disabilities, Disability Studies argues that it reinforces the oppression suffered by this group. However, these positions do not historically reconstruct the ethos constructed in sport. In order to contribute to this discussion, I analyze here the ways of thinking about and experiencing disability that were constructed in the origins of the field of adapted sport, in the city of Buenos Aires, from 1950 to 1961. Thus, I begin by analyzing the content of publications of the first clubs for people with disabilities and in-depth interviews with protagonists of the origins of adapted sport and local physiatry.

O sentido do esporte para atletas de basquete em cadeiras de rodas: processo de integração social e promoção de saúde / The meaning of sport practice to basketball athletes in wheelchairs: a social integration and health promotion process? / El significado de la practica de deportes para atletas de baloncesto en silla de ruedas: integración de procesos y promoción social de la salud?

Este estudo objetivou analisar o esporte adaptado enquanto processo de integração social e qualidade de vida de atletas de basquete em cadeiras de rodas. A população alvo foram 25 atletas de três equipes esportivas do Estado do Paraná. Foram instrumentos: Questionário de qualidade de vida WOOQHL Bref, Inventário de Habilidades Sociais, Questionário de Ambiente de Grupo e entrevista semiestruturada. Os resultados indicaram: os atletas possuem uma boa qualidade de vida e um bom repertório de habilidades sociais, contudo necessitando de atenção específica em situações de exposição a desconhecidos e autocontrole da agressividade; em relação à coesão do grupo, o foco concentrou-se na tarefa do que relacionado à integração social; as variáveis de integração social e autocontrole da agressividade explicaram positivamente a qualidade de vida dos atletas. Conclui-se que: o esporte adaptado contribuiu para o desenvolvimento das habilidades sociais e da integração social, tendo impacto positivo na percepção de qualidade de vida dos atletas.

This study had as main goal to analyze sport practice as social integration and quality of life with wheelchair basketball players. The population was constituted by 25 athletes from three sports teams from Parana state. Instruments used were: Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL Bref), Social Skills Inventory and the Group Environment questionnaire. Results indicate that athletes possess a good quality of life and a good repertory of social skills, however a specific attention is required to situations of exposition to different experiences and selfcontrol of aggressiveness. As for group cohesion a task aspect was highlighted in relation to social dimension. Also, quality of life was positively predicted by social variables, especially those connected to task cohesion. Therefore it is concluded that sport seems to contribute to development of social skills, has a positive impact on perception of quality of life.

El estudio tiene como objetivo analizar los deportes adaptados como un proceso de integración social y calidad de vida de los deportistas de baloncesto en silla de ruedas. La población objetivo fueron 25 atletas de tres equipos deportivos en el estado de Paraná. Los instrumentos fueron: Cuestionario de calidad de la vida (WOOQHL Bref), El Inventario de Habilidades Sociales, Cuestionario de Ambiente de grupo y entrevista semi-estructurada. Los resultados mostraron que los atletas tienen una buena calidad de vida y un buen repertorio de habilidades sociales, sin embargo, requieren una atención específica en las situaciones de exposición a lo desconocido y la auto-agresión; en relación con la cohesión del grupo, la atención se concentró en la tarea que en relación con la integración social; las variables de integración social y la auto-agresión se explican de manera positiva la calidad de vida para los atletas. Se concluye que: el deporte adaptado ha contribuido al desarrollo de habilidades sociales y de integración social tiene un impacto positivo en la percepción de calidad de vida de los atletas.

Adaptação de uma bateria de testes para handebol em cadeira de rodas / Adaptation of a battery skill tests to wheelchair handball athletes

O objetivo deste estudo foi adaptar uma bateria de testes de habilidades motoras para o Handebol em Cadeira de Rodas (HCR), (testes: Velocidade 20 metros lançados; Eficácia de arremesso; Desempenho de bloqueio; Precisão de passes e; Condução de bola). Participaram do estudo 09 atletas com deficiência física, da equipe ATACAR/UNIPAR/TOLEDO/PR, que já praticam a modalidade há dois anos. Os atletas foram avaliados durante as sessões de treinamento no mês de setembro de 2008, nas dependências da Universidade Paranaense em Toledo/PR. Para o teste de precisão de passes a média foi de 43,37 (± 7,30 pontos). Já para o teste de eficácia de arremessos os valores foram de 19,12 ±2,99 e 14,37 ± 2,13 pontos para as tentativas de seis e nove metros respectivamente. No teste de condução de bola o valor foi de 32,90 ± 2,47 segundos, enquanto que para desempenho de bloqueio a média foi de 32,90 ± 3,30 segundos e para o teste de velocidade a média foi de 5,48 ± 0,88 segundos. Foram identificados e modificados alguns aspectos dos testes a fim de facilitar a avaliação dos atletas com deficiência. De modo geral a bateria mostrou-se aplicável, pois não foram encontradas dificuldades no entendimento dos testes por parte dos sujeitos, porém novos estudos precisam ser realizados para consolidar o instrumento.

The objective this study was to adapt a battery of motor skills tests to Wheelchair Handball (WCH), (20 meters speed launched; estimate of the effectiveness of shot; performance of block; accuracy of passes and shot tests and; test of ball conduction. The subjects were 09 athletes with physical disabilities, from ATACAR/UNIPAR/TOLEDO/PR Wheelchair Handball Team, which has already practicing the sport two years ago. The athletes were evaluated through the battery of tests of motor skills for wheelchair handball, during the training sessions in September 2008, in University Paranaense at Toledo/PR. To test the accuracy of passes, the average was 43.37 (± 7.30 points). As for the effectiveness of shot trial of pitches corresponding values were 19.12 ± 2.99 and 14.37 ± 2.13 points for the attempts of six and nine meters respectively. On test of ball conduction, the value was 32.90 ± 2.47 seconds, while performance of block for the average was 32.90 ± 3.30 seconds and the speed test, the average was 5.48 ± 0.88 seconds. We identified some aspects of the tests that need to be modified to facilitate application to people with disabilities. Generally the battery was shown to be applicable, since there were no difficulties in understanding the tests from the subjects, however further studies need to be made to consolidate the instrument.