Loneliness and Coping Styles Among Athletes With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The study aimed to assess loneliness experiences among athletes with disabilities (AWD) during the different phases of the pandemic and to understand its relationship with coping styles. Ninety-one AWD participated in a longitudinal study spanning 10 months, covering three time points: April (A), June (Time B), and November (Time C) 2021. The study used the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations and the revised University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale-Revised (UCLA-R) to measure coping mechanisms and feelings of loneliness, respectively. Loneliness levels peaked during the most intense phase of the pandemic, showing significant differences between consecutive time points (χ2 = 20.29, p < 0.001, d = 0.24). The most robust regression models were built in Time B, using the "intimate contacts" dimension of loneliness as the dependent variable and "emotion-oriented coping", "avoidance-oriented coping", and "impairment" as independent variables, explaining 44% of the variance (p < 0.001). Loneliness among Paralympic athletes fluctuated during various phases of the pandemic. The findings highlight the significant influence of coping styles, particularly emotional styles which heightened perceived loneliness, and task-oriented styles which reduced it, on athletes' experiences of loneliness. These results underscore the need for longitudinal studies to delve deeper into the relationship between loneliness and mental health. Moreover, they stress the importance of developing tailored interventions that promote effective coping mechanisms in AWD during challenging times amid to COIVID-19.

Cardiovascular Risk Profile in Master Paralympic Athletes, a High-Risk Undertreated Population: A Cross-Sectional Longitudinal Study.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, European Society of Cardiology (ESC) validated a prediction model to estimate 10-year fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease risk (CVDR) in individuals (aged 40-60 years) without previous cardiovascular disease or diabetes (ESC-SCORE2) and to provide indications for treatment. At present, data describing the CVDR in Paralympic athletes (PAs) are scarce and inconsistent. Therefore, we sought to assess the prevalence of risk factors in PAs to estimate their CVDR through SCORE2. METHODS: We enrolled 99 PAs aged ≥ 40 y.o., who participated at 2012-2022 Paralympic Games, competing in 22 different sport disciplines classified according to sport type (power, skills, endurance and mixed) and disabilities: spinal cord injuries (SCI) and non-SCI. CVDR factors, anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected. RESULTS: Among the 99 PAs (78% males, mean age 45.7 ± 4.7 y.o.), 52.5% had SCI; 54% were dyslipidemic and 23% were smokers. According to ESC-SCORE2, 29% had high and 1% very-high CVDR. Women (compared to men) and endurance (compared to other sport) exhibited better CV profile. SCI showed no differences when compared with non-SCI for CVDR, excepted for a lower HDL and lower exercise performance. None of the dyslipidemic athlete was on pharmacologically treatment, despite the altered lipid profile had already been detected at younger age. CONCLUSION: PAs are a selected population, presenting a high CV risk profile, with 30% showing either high or very-high CVDR according to ESC-SCORE2. Dyslipidemia was the most common risk factor, underestimated and undertreated, emphasizing the need for specific preventive strategies in this special setting of athletes.

Effect of a Neuromodulation Protocol Associated With Sports Training on the Precision Sports Performance of a Wheelchair Basketball Para-Athlete: A Case Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) optimizes the performance of a wheelchair basketball player on precision tasks. METHODS: A right-handed wheelchair basketball player (1.5 points functional class) with myelomeningocele (low lumbar level) participated in this case study. The tDCS neuromodulation protocol was applied throughout 10 interventions of 20 minutes with a current intensity of 2 mA, simultaneously with sport-specific training, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Anodic stimulation was performed on the right cerebellar hemisphere (CB2) and cathodic stimulation in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. A control participant was submitted to a sham-tDCS stimulation protocol for the same period. Functional performance was assessed before the intervention and after the 5th and 10th interventions using "pass accuracy," "free-throw shooting," and "spot shot" tests. Outcome measures were compared using percentage differences between preintervention, intermediate intervention, and postintervention values. RESULTS: There was a gradual increase in the athlete's total and average scores in all tests performed, with an overall improvement of 78% between the baseline and final assessments, while the control participant had an overall improvement of 6.5%. CONCLUSION: The tDCS protocol was effective in improving performance in precision activities in a wheelchair basketball player.

An Examination of the Sport Commitment Model for Athletes With Physical Disabilities.

Sport commitment describes a psychological attachment to a sport that influences one's desire or resolve to continue involvement in it. Studying antecedents believed to influence long term commitment to sport among athletes with a disability will help ensure that participants gain those psychosocial and health outcomes from sport participation that benefit quality of life. Our purposes in this study were: (i) to examine the Sport Commitment Model (SCM) in terms of the magnitude of the contribution of antecedent factors (i.e., enjoyment, personal investment, involvement opportunities, social constraints, involvement alternatives) to sport commitment of athletes with disabilities; and (ii) to examine the model structure (i.e., original SCM, mediation, and direct/indirect model) that best reflects an understanding of the sport commitment antecedents for these athletes. A total of 157 adult athletes (M age = 34.87, SD = 11.78) with physical disabilities from both team and individual sports across the United States, Europe, and Asia completed the Sport Commitment Questionnaire. Data analyses indicated that sport involvement opportunities, followed by personal investment, were the strongest predictors of these athletes' sport commitments (R2 = .66). Based on the principle of parsimony, the original structural equation model (χ2 (215) = 384.95; RMSEA = .07; CFI = .95; SRMR = .06) was deemed better for understanding the mechanism of sport commitment than the mediation or direct/indirect models. We address implications of applying the SCM to athletes with disabilities, and we offer suggestions for future research.

Influence of the Type of Disability and Sporting Discipline on Lipid Profile in a Cohort of Italian Paralympic Athletes.

Dyslipidemia is the most frequent cardiovascular (CV) risk factor in able-bodied athletes and is frequently undertreated, resulting in an underestimated risk of atherosclerosis-related diseases. Data on lipid profile in Paralympic athletes are lacking. Our study aimed to identify the prevalence of dyslipidemia and the influence of disability type and sporting discipline in Paralympic athletes. We evaluated 289 athletes who participated in the Paralympic Games from London 2012 to Beijing 2022. All athletes underwent clinical/physical evaluation, blood tests, and body composition analysis. They were divided into different groups based on sports disciplines and disability type (spinal cord injuries [SCIs] and non-SCIs [NSCIs]). Among the Paralympic athletes, 34.6% had a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level ≥115 mg/100 ml. They were older (38.1 ± 9.2 vs 30.6 ± 9.6, p = 0.001) and had a higher CV risk. Athletes with SCI showed similar total cholesterol and triglycerides, higher LDL (110.9 ± 35.2 vs 102.7 ± 30.6 mg/100 ml, p = 0.03) and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (53.6 ± 13.6 vs 60.5 ± 15.4 mg/100 ml, p = 0.001) than those with NSCI. Endurance athletes had lower LDL, the highest HDL, and the lowest triglycerides and LDL/HDL ratio compared with other sports disciplines. A mean follow-up of 61.5 ± 30.5 months was available in 47% athletes, and 72.7% of the athletes with dyslipidemia continued to present altered LDL values at follow-up. In conclusion, dyslipidemia is the most common CV risk factor in the Paralympics, affecting 35% of athletes, with only mild lipid changes over a medium-term time. The type of disability and sporting discipline has an impact on lipids, improving HDL and reducing LDL, with a better profile observed in NSCI and endurance athletes.

The effects on sports performance of technologic advances in sports prostheses and wheelchairs.

The field of medicine continues to advance as new technologies emerge. These technological advancements include the science of sports prostheses and wheelchairs, in which there have been significant advancements over the past decades. The world of adaptive sports continues to expand, largely due to a combination of the increase in awareness, inclusion, and technology. As participation in sports for people with impairments increases, there has been an associated demand for new, innovative adaptive sporting equipment designs that help accommodate the physical deficits of the individual. Controversy has risen as persons with disabilities advance their skills with adaptive sports equipment to compete with individuals without disabilities. The controversy leads to the question: is the adaptive equipment allowing athletes with disability to regain the lost function from their baseline or does it allow them to exceed prior ability level? This narrative review provides information regarding the performance effects of advances in technology and biomechanics of adaptive sports equipment to help answer these questions.

Relationship between physical activity and coping with stress in people with multiple sclerosis: A moderated mediation model with self-efficacy and disability level as variables / Relación entre actividad física y afrontamiento del estrés en personas con esclerosis múltiple: un modelo de mediación moderada con autoeficacia y nivel de discapacidad como variables

Purpose: An increasing number of studies support the beneficial relationship between physical activity and stress coping in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there has been limited understanding of the variables that may influence the nature of this relationship. Therefore, based on the social-cognitive framework and previous research, we aimed to examine the association between the habitual physical activity of people with MS and their coping effectiveness. Furthermore, we sought to determine the extent to which self-efficacy acts as a mediator in this relationship, considering the level of disability as a moderator variable. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 351 people with MS participated. The participants were asked to complete several assessment tools, including the Mini-COPE Inventory for Measurement—Coping with Stress, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Additionally, a neurologist assessed the severity of the disease using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Information on the demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants was collected via a self-report survey. Two moderated mediation analyses were conducted as part of the study. Results: The study findings indicated a positive correlation between engagement in physical activity and self-efficacy among participants with high and medium disability levels. This, in turn, demonstrated a positive association with effective stress-coping strategies and a negative association with ineffective coping methods. In particular, a significant relationship was observed between involvement in physical activity and self-efficacy in participants with high disability, while it was not statistically significant in participants with low disability.(AU)

Analysis of the competitive demands in 7-a-side football players with cerebral palsy

Inertial devices allow for obtaining a large amount of information related to external load during official competitions. The study aimed to analyse fatigue in different functional classification players of a Football 7-a-side for people with cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury team, considering the movements, speed changes and impacts during the 2020 Spanish National League matches (n = 12). The analyzed independent variables were the different functional classifications (FC) of the players, FC1, FC2 and FC3, and also time. Regarding the dependent variables, kinematic objective external load (displacements and speed changes), and neuromuscular objective external load (impacts) were considered. This study is an empirical investigation that follows an associative and descriptive analysis, ANOVA test, and a Bonferroni post hoc test (multiple comparisons) were carried out between the external load variables based on FC and time. The results show differences between FC1 for people with greater functional limitation to FC3, and athletes with less functional limitation depending on the time of the match. FC2 players presented greater competitive demands in specific moments of the match than FC3 athletes because of the requirements of the competition. Furthermore, evaluating different FC players with inertial devices in official competitions provides useful information regarding the demands of Fa7PC players, which is fundamental for daily training tasks management and injury risk prevention in Fa7PC. The large number of variables associated with inertial devices data collection during training sessions and official competitions in Fa7PC allows us to understand the demands of CP players, as well as how to make decisions during the games and training process, namely for reducing the injury risk. (AU)

Resiliencia entre deportistas de alto rendimiento y no deportistas con discapacidad física / Resiliência entre desportistas de alto rendimento e não desportistas com deficiência física / Resilience between high performance athletes and non-athletes with physical disabilities

Se investigó la diferencia existente entre el nivel de resiliencia de personas con discapacidad física, comparando deportistas de alto rendimiento y personas no deportistas. Se realizó un muestreo por conveniencia con la participación de 20 personas con discapacidad física, 10 deportistas de alto rendimiento de Boyacá y 10 no deportistas; ambos grupos con 6 hombres y 4 mujeres, con edades entre los 19 y 25 años. Estudio de enfoque cuantitativo, de corte transversal y tipo comparativo no experimental, utilizando el instrumento Escala de Resiliencia de Wagnild y Young (1993), validado y estandarizado por Gómez (2019). Los resultados evidencian una diferencia de medias superior para el grupo de deportistas de rendimiento en comparación con los no deportistas, sin embargo, dicha diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa (t(18) = 1.38; p= .092) concluyendo que el deporte de alto rendimiento es uno de muchos factores que favorecen la resiliencia en personas con discapacidad física.(AU)

The difference in resilience levels of people with physical disabilities was investigated by comparing high-performance and non-athlete athletes. A convenience sampling was conducted with the participation of 20 people with physical disabilities, 10 high-performance athletes from Boyacá, and 10 non-athletes; groups with 6 men and 4 women, aged between 19 and 25 years. The study had a quantitative, cross-sectional, comparative, and non-experimental design, using the Resilience Scale of Wagnild and Young (1993), validated and standardized by Gómez (2019). The results show a higher mean difference for the group of performance athletes compared to non-athletes;however, this difference was not statistically significant (t(18) = 1.38; p= .092), concluding that sport High performance is one of many factors that promote resilience in people with physical disabilities.(AU)

A diferença nos níveis de resiliência de pessoas com deficiência física foi investigada comparando atletas de alto rendimento e não atletas. Foi realizada uma amostragem por conveniência com a participação de 20 pessoas com deficiência física, 10 atletas de alto desempenho de Boyacá e 10 não atletas; ambos os grupos com 6 homens e 4 mulheres, com idades entre 19 e 25 anos. O estudo teve um design quantitativo, transversal, comparativo e não experimental, usando a Escala de Resiliência de Wagnild e Young (1993), validada e padronizada por Gómez (2019). Os resultados mostram uma diferença média maior para o grupo de atletas de rendimento em comparação aos não atletas, porém, essa diferença não foi estatisticamente significativa (t(18) = 1,38; p= 0,092), concluindo que o alto rendimento esportivo é um dos muitos fatores que promovem a resiliência em pessoas com deficiência física.(AU)

Impacto de uma sessão de sensibilização na aula de Educação Física nas atitudes de estudantes face à inclusão de colegas com deficiência / Impactode una sesión de sensibilización en la clase de Educación Física enlas actitudes de los estudiantes hacia la inclusión de pares condiscapacidad / The impact of an awareness session in Physical Education class on students’ attitudes towards the inclusion of peers with disabilities

Las percepciones de los estudiantes son un factor clave para la inclusión exitosa de sus pares con discapacidad. Ante el desafío docente de desarrollar estrategias que faciliten el proceso de inclusión, el presente estudio implementó un programa de sensibilización con el objetivo de investigar el impacto en las actitudes de los estudiantes hacia la inclusión de compañeros con discapacidad en sus clases de Educación Física (EF). Se utilizó la versión portuguesa validada por Campos, Ferreira y Block (2014) del instrumento “The Children's Attitudes Towards Inclusion in Physical Education –Revised” (CAIPE-R) de Block (1995), en dos momentos, antes y después del programa de concientización. La intervención implicó una clase de educación física de 90 minutos. Participaron 94 estudiantes con edades entre 15 y 18 años (M= 15.45, DT= 0.65), 52.1% do sexo femenino(n=49), 43.6% so sexo masculino (n=41) y 4.3% identificado con no binario (n=4). Los participantes se dividieron en dos grupos, grupo experimental (n=44) y grupo control (n=50). Los resultados revelaron que el grupo experimental después de la intervención mostró diferencias en cuanto a las actitudes en la escala global y las ambas subescalas siendo que el programa de concientización resultó en percepciones más positivas por parte de los estudiantes respecto a la inclusión de sus pares con discapacidad en las clases de EF.(AU)

Students' perceptions are a key factor for the successful inclusion of their peers with disabilities. Considering the teaching challenge of developing facilitating strategies for the inclusion process, this study implemented an awareness program to investigate the impact on students' attitudes toward including colleagues with disabilities in their Physical Education (PE) classes. The Portuguese version validated by Campos et al. (2014) of the instrument “The Children's Attitudes Towards Inclusion in Physical Education –Revised” (CAIPE-R) by Block (1995) was used, in two moments, before and after the awareness program. The awareness intervention comprised a 90-minute PE class.Participants were 94 students, between 15 and 18 years old (M= 15.45, SD= 0.65), 52.1% female (n=49), 43.6% male (n=41), and 4.3% identified with non-binary (n=4). Participants were divided into two groups, the experimental group (n= 44) and the control group (n= 50).The results revealed that the experimental group after the intervention showed differences in attitudes on a global scale and both subscales, thus the awareness program resulted in more positive attitudes regarding the inclusion of peers with disabilities in PE classes.(AU)

As perceções dos estudantes são um fator fulcral para que a inclusão dos seus pares comdeficiência seja bem-sucedido. Perante o desafio docente em desenvolver estratégias facilitadoras ao processo de inclusão, o presente estudo implementou um programa de sensibilização com o objetivo de averiguar o impacto nas atitudes dos estudantes face à inclusão de colegas com deficiência nas suas aulas de Educação Física (EF). Foi utilizada a versão portuguesa validada por Campos et al. (2014) do instrumento “The Children’s Attitudes Towards Inclusion in Physical Education –Revised” (CAIPE-R) deBlock (1995), em dois momentos, antes e após o programa de sensibilização. A intervenção consistiu numa aulade EF de 90 minutos.Participaram 94 estudantes com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e 18 anos, (M= 15.45, DP= 0.65), 52.1% do género feminino (n=49), 43.6% do género masculino (n=41) e 4.3% identificavam se com não binários (n=4), sendo que não foram considerados para análise. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos, grupo experimental (n=44) e grupo de controlo (n=50).Os resultados revelaram que o grupo experimental após a intervenção apresentou diferenças em termos de atitudes na escala global e em ambas as subescalas, sendo que o programa de sensibilização resultou em perceções mais positivas por parte dos estudantes face à inclusão dos seus pares com deficiência nas aulas de EF.(AU)

Seated-Shot-Put Equipment in Para Athletics-A Review and Presentation of Data From the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

This research provides a review of seated shot put alongside new data from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with the aim to understand the latest trends in equipment within a recently established rule set and how key equipment variables may impact performance for athletes in different classifications. First, a review of the literature found that the throwing pole is a key equipment aid that is not well understood, in part due to limitations in testing design. New data from the 2020 Paralympic Games showed inconsistent trends for the use of the throwing pole among athletes, particularly in transitionary classes (F33-34 and F54-55). A two-way analysis of variance found a main effect of classification on performance (p < .001), as well as an interaction effect between pole use and classification on performance (p < .05). Notably, pole users are seen to perform better than non-pole users in Class F32 (p < .05).

Cluster analysis of multiple impairment measures in evidence-based classification for para-alpine sit skiers.

The International Paralympic Committee has been promoting the development of evidence-based classification to reduce the subjectivity in current decision-making systems. The current study aimed to evaluate the validity of the impairment and performance tests for para-alpine sit skiing classification, and whether cluster analysis of the measures would produce a valid classification structure. Thirty-eight para-alpine sit skiers with different disabilities completed seven tests. During these tests, isometric trunk strength, trunk muscle excitation, trunk range of movement (ROM), and simulated skiing performance (board tilt angle) were assessed. Correlations between the measures and the board tilt angle were calculated. To group athletes, K-means cluster analysis was performed according to how much the impairment measures affected the board tilting. There were significant correlations between all measures and the maximal board tilt angle (r = 0.35-0.81, p < 0.05). The cluster analysis revealed that the introduction of ROM and muscle excitation was an effective supplement to strength measures in improving the classification accuracy (53%-79%). It produced four clusters with strong structures (mean silhouette coefficient = 0.81) and large and significant inter-cluster differences in most measures and performance between clusters (p < 0.05). The cluster analysis produced classes comprising athletes with similar degrees of activity limitation. All tests reported can help establish a more transparent classification system for para-alpine sit skiers. This study also provides a reference for evidence-based classification systems in other Para sports.

Effects of Powerchair Football: Contextual Factors That Impact Participation.

The aim of this study was to identify contextual factors that negatively affect activity and participation among powerchair football (PF) players. Thirty-seven semistructured interviews were conducted with PF players (Mage = 27.9 ± 8.2 years) in France (n = 18) and the United States (n = 19). Participants reported acute back and neck pain as the primary morbidities resulting from PF participation, with sustained atypical posture in the sport chair as the primary cause. Competition-related physical and mental stress were also identified as participation outcomes. Accompanying the many benefits of PF, participants recognized negative impacts of discomfort, physical fatigue, and mental fatigue. Interventions such as seating modifications, thermotherapy to combat pain, napping to combat acute physical stress, and mental preparation to manage state anxiety were all identified as prospective interventions.

Effects of sport or physical recreation for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of sport or physical recreation on participation, mobility and quality of life for adults living with disabilities. DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Six databases searched from inception to May 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials including adults living with a physical or intellectual disability, comparing sport or physical recreation to non-active control. RESULTS: Seventy-four trials (n=2954; mean age 55 years) were included. Most (70) trials included people with physical disabilities, none evaluated sport and the most common physical recreation activities tested were traditional Chinese exercise (35%), yoga (27%) and dance (18%). Mean frequency and duration was 65 min/session, two times per week for 13 weeks. Most (86%) interventions were led by people with experience and/or training in the recreation activity, and only 37% reported leader experience and/or training working with people with disabilities. Participation was measured as attendance (mean 81%, 30 intervention groups). Physical recreation improved mobility (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.38, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.69, n=469) and walking endurance (mean difference (MD) 40.3 m, 95% CI 19.5 to 61.1, n=801) with low certainty evidence and balance (Berg Balance Scale, range 0-56 points; MD 3.4 points, 95% CI 2.3 to 4.4, n=906) and quality of life (physical health; SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.72, n=468) with very low certainty evidence, but not walking speed (MD 0.03 m/s, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.11, n=486). CONCLUSION: Physical recreation may confer multiple benefits for people living with disabilities regardless of the activity chosen, thus offering a potentially enjoyable and scalable strategy to increase physical activity. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018104379.

Sexo, idade e tempo de prática influenciam o desenvolvimento de habilidades para a vida em praticantes de esportes adaptados? / Sex, age and practice time influence the development of life skills in adapted sports practitioners? / ¿El sexo, la edad y el tiempo de práctica influyen en el desarrollo de habilidades para la vida en los deportistas adaptados?

Este estudo de corte transversal investigou a percepção de desenvolvimento das habilidades para vida de 90 jovens com deficiência praticantes de modalidades individuais e coletivas, com 17.31 ± 1.35 anos e tempo de prática de 8.50± 5.38 meses de ambos os sexos (10 meninos e 78 meninas). Os instrumentos utilizados foram um questionário sociodemográfico a fim de caracterizar a amostra e a Escala de Habilidades para a Vida para o Esporte (P-LSSS) para avaliar as habilidades para a vida. A análise de dados foi conduzida por meio dos testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, teste t independente, e correlação de Pearson (p<0,05). Os resultados demonstraram que houve correlação positiva entre a idade e as habilidades de trabalho em equipe (r= 0,25), estabelecimento de metas (r = 0,24) e habilidades sociais (r = 0,22). Os praticantes do sexo masculino apresentaram escore superior nas dimensões trabalho em equipe (p=0,001), estabelecimento de metas (p=0,003), habilidades sociais (p=<0,001), solução de problemas (p<0,001) e habilidades emocionais (p=0,005). Os praticantes mais velhos apresentaram escores superiores na subescala de trabalho em equipe (p=0,039). Não houve diferença (p<0,05) em relação ao tempo de prática. Conclui-se que a idade e o sexo estão associados ao desenvolvimento das habilidades para vida em praticantes de esportes adaptados. (AU)

This cross-sectional study investigated the perception of life skills development among 90 young athletes with disabilities participating in individual and team sports, with an average age of 17.31 ± 1.35 years and an average practice time of 8.50 ± 5.38 months, including both genders (10 boys and 78 girls). The instruments used included a sociodemographic questionnaire in order to characterize the sample and the Life Skills in Sports Scale (P-LSSS) to assess life skills. Data analysis was conducted using Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlation (p <0.05). The results demonstrated a positive correlation between age and teamwork skills (r = 0.25), goal setting (r = 0.24) and social skills (r = 0.22). Male athletes scored higher in teamwork dimensions (p = 0.001), goal setting (p = 0.003), social skills (p =<0.001), problem-solving (p <0.001) and emotional skills (p = 0.005). Older athletes had higher scores in the teamwork subscale (p = 0.039). There was no significant difference (p <0.05) in relation to practice time. In conclusion, age and gender are associated with the development of life skills in participants in adapted sports.

Este estudio transversal investigó la percepción del desarrollo de habilidades para la vida de 90 jóvenes con discapacidad que practican modalidades individuales y colectivas, con edad de 17.31 ± 1.35 años y tiempo de práctica de 8.50 ± 5.38 meses para ambos sexos (10 niños y 78 niñas). Los instrumentos utilizados fueron un cuestionario sociodemográfico con el fin de caracterizar la muestra y evaluar las habilidades para la vida, se utilizó la Escala de Habilidades de Vida para el Deporte (P-LSSS). El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante las pruebas de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, t independiente y correlación de Pearson (p <0,05). Los resultados mostraron que existe una correlación positiva entre la edad y las habilidades de trabajo en equipo (r = 0,25), el establecimiento de metas (r = 0,24) y las habilidades sociales (r = 0,22). Los practicantes masculinos obtuvieron una puntuación más alta en las dimensiones de trabajo en equipo (p = 0,001), establecimiento de metas (p = 0,003), habilidades sociales (p = <0,001), resolución de problemas (p <0,001) y habilidades emocionales (p = 0,005). Los practicantes mayores obtuvieron puntuaciones más altas en la dimensión de trabajo en equipo (p = 0,039). No hubo diferencia (p <0,05) con relación al tiempo de práctica. Se concluye que la edad y el sexo están asociados al desarrollo de habilidades para la vida en los practicantes de deportes adaptados.

Intuitive, Myoelectric Control of Adaptive Sports Equipment for Individuals with Tetraplegia.

This research aims to develop safe, robust, and easy-to-use adaptive technology for individuals with tetraplegia. After a debilitating spinal cord injury, clinical care focuses on improving quality of life. Participation in adaptive sports has been shown to improve several aspects of participants' well-being. The TetraSki is a power-assisted ski chair that allows individuals with tetraplegia to participate in downhill skiing by sipping and puffing air on an integrated straw to turn their skis. Here, we introduce a new intuitive and dexterous control strategy for the TetraSki using surface electromyography (sEMG) from the neck and shoulder muscles. As an initial assessment, six healthy participants completed a virtual ski racecourse using sEMG and Sip-and-Puff control. Participants also completed a detection response task of cognitive load and the NASA-TLX survey of subjective workload. No significant differences were observed between the performance of sEMG control and the performance of Sip-and-Puff control. However, sEMG control required significantly less cognitive load and subjective workload than Sip-and-Puff control. These results indicate that sEMG can effectively control the equipment and is significantly more intuitive than traditional Sip-and-Puff control. This suggests that sEMG is a promising control method for further validation with individuals with tetraplegia. Ultimately, long-term use of sEMG control may promote neuroplasticity and drive rehabilitation.

Predicting high quality of participation in adaptive snow-sports for individuals with disabilities: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study aimed to examine the individual, program and environmental (social and physical) characteristics which predict high quality of participation in adaptive snowsports for each dimension of the Quality of Participation in Parasport Framework (QPPF): autonomy, belongingness, mastery, challenge, engagement and meaning. METHODS: A survey was completed by 133 individuals with disabilities or their representatives on each dimension of the QPPF in adaptive snowsports and on the factors impacting the quality of participation. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study participants, and a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed for each dimension of the QPPF to evaluate the relative contribution of individual, snowsport-related, program and environmental factors to each dimension. RESULTS: Individuals with disabilities in this study reported high quality of participation on all dimensions of the QPPF. The individual characteristics only predicted the QPPF dimension of challenge. However, the program and environmental characteristics such as equipment, number of instructors and barriers were robust predictors of quality of participation. CONCLUSION: Overall, participants experienced high quality participation. Supporting the adaptive snowsports programs while reducing the barriers faced by people with disabilities should be a continued effort to promote quality of participation.