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.

Percepción de la accesibilidad de paratletas chilenos rumbo a Santiago 2023 / Percepção dos paratletas chilenos, rumo a Santiago 2023, sobre acessibilidade / Accessibility perception of chilean para-athletes, road to santiago 2023

Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación es triple: 1) comprender las percepciones de los paratletas sobre la accesibilidad respecto a las futuras sedes de los Juegos Parapanamericanos Santiago 2023; 2) establecer diferencias en la percepción debidas al origen de la discapacidad y 3) documentar la percepción de paratletas con grandes necesidades de apoyo (AHSN, por sus siglas en inglés). Esta investigación es cuantitativa transversal que, en su primera etapa, desarrolló el instrumento denominado Encuesta de Percepción de Accesibilidad de Para-atletas (PPA-D, por sus siglas en inglés) y, en una segunda etapa, se aplicó a 96 paratletas chilenos (77.8% hombres, edad promedio = 31.0 ± 11.6 años). Para la prueba, se obtuvo un coeficiente de validación = .96. Respecto a las características de la muestra, 16.6% correspondió a participantes con discapacidad visual; un 35.1% era AHSN; el 51.5% estaba vinculado a la alta competencia y el 59.3% se trasladaba por su cuenta a sus entrenamientos. Se identificó una percepción negativa de la accesibilidad, principalmente en cuanto al transporte en microbús, en los elevadores y en los espacios de baños, afectando principalmente a AHSN con discapacidad visual (F1,101 = 14.01, p = .0003). Se concluye que es importante abordar las brechas de género, origen de discapacidad y AHSN para garantizar una participación equitativa bajo un marco de derecho.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa é triplo: 1) compreender as percepções dos paratletas sobre acessibilidade com relação às futuras sedes dos Jogos Parapan-Americanos de Santiago 2023; 2) estabelecer diferenças de percepção devido à origem da deficiência portada e 3) documentar a percepção de paratletas com altas necessidades de apoio (AHSN, por suas siglas em inglês). Esta pesquisa é quantitativa transversal que, em sua primeira etapa, desenvolveu o instrumento denominado Enquete de Percepção de Acessibilidade de Paratletas (PPA-D, por suas siglas em inglês) e, em uma segunda etapa, foi aplicada a 96 paratletas chilenos (77,8% homens, idade média = 31,0 ± 11,6 anos). Para o teste, obteve-se um coeficiente de validação = 0,96. Em relação às características da amostra, 16,6% corresponderam a participantes com deficiência visual; 35,1% eram AHSN; 51,5% estavam ligados à alta competência e 59,3% se deslocaram por conta própria para o treinamento. Identificou-se uma percepção negativa de acessibilidade, principalmente com relação ao transporte por micro-ônibus, elevadores e banheiros, afetando principalmente os AHSN com deficiência visual (F1.101 = 14,01, p = 0,0003). Conclui-se que é importante abordar as lacunas de gênero, origem da deficiência e AHSN para garantir uma participação equitativa ao abrigo de um quadro jurídico.

Abstract Accessibility perception of chilean para-athletes, road to Santiago 2023. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 20(2), 1-18. The objective of this research is three-fold: 1) to understand Para-athletes' perceptions on accessibility regarding Santiago 2023 Parapan American games' future venues, 2) to establish differences in perception due to the origin of the disability, and 3) document alignment, if any, with athletes with high support needs (AHSN). This research is a two-phased quantitative cross-sectional study, which at the first stage developed the "Para-athletes Perception on Accessibility Survey" (PPA-D) and, at the second stage, the survey was applied to 96 Chilean Para-athletes (77.8% men, mean age = 31.0 ± 11.6 years old). The test obtained a validation coefficient of = 0.96. Regarding the sample characteristics, 16.6% corresponded to participants with visual impairment, 35.1% were AHSN, 51.5% were linked to high-level competition, and 59.3% travelled on their own to their training sessions. A negative perception of accessibility was found, mainly concerning minibuses, elevators, and restroom spaces, affecting mostly AHSN with visual impairment (F1.101 = 14.01, p = .0003). We conclude that it is important to address gender, disability, and AHSN gaps to guarantee equitable participation under a framework of the law and social rights.

Eating Perception, Nutrition Knowledge and Body Image among Para-Athletes: Practical Challenges in Nutritional Support.

Limited information exists on dietary practices in para-athletes. The aim of this study was to clarify the actual situation of para-athletes' dietary practice and to sort out the factors (i.e., eating perception, nutrition knowledge, and body image), that may hinder their dietary practices, and explored the practical challenges in nutritional support and improving nutrition knowledge for para-athletes. Thirty-two Japanese para-athletes (22 men) and 45 collegiate student athletes without disabilities (27 men) participated in the online survey. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, eating perception, dietary practices, and nutrition knowledge. The Japanese version of the body appreciation scale was used to determine their body image. Para-athletes who answered that they knew their ideal amount and way of eating showed significantly higher body image scores (r = 0.604, p < 0.001). However, mean score for nutrition knowledge of para-athletes were significantly lower than collegiate student athletes (19.4 ± 6.8 vs. 24.2 ± 6.1 points, p = 0.001). Both groups did not identify a dietitian as the source of nutrition information or receiving their nutrition advice. The results indicate para-athletes have unique eating perceptions and inadequate nutrition knowledge. Future interventions are needed to examine nutritional supports and education in relation to the role of dietitians.

The importance of pacing in basketball players with intellectual impairment: Input for evidence-based classification.

Pacing places a high demand on intellectual functioning and has been found useful for classification of athletes with intellectual impairments (II). This may also be true in open-loop sports like basketball. The current study aimed to investigate the pacing behaviour of basketball players with and without II. Using time-motion analysis, the activity of elite basketball players with II (n = 37) and amateur players without II (n = 34) was coded into four movement categories over eight periods of each game: standing, walking, running and jumping. Following two-way ANOVA, an effect of group showed differences between groups in duration and frequency of the movement categories within each period of the games. Additionally, an effect of time suggested that players in both groups paced their performances. However, no interaction was found, indicating that pacing may not be different between groups. In conclusion, the results suggest that due to the dynamic nature of basketball, the included players paced more intuitively by responding to environmental cues and using less deliberate planning. The players with II demonstrated slower games, which may be due to an impaired ability to make quick moment-to-moment deliberate decisions. These skills should be further studied in the context of evidence-based classification.

Developing additional competition classes for athletes with intellectual impairments: Conceptual approach and efficacy of an ICF derived measure.

The purpose of para sport classification systems is to minimize the impact of impairment on competition outcome. Currently, athletes with intellectual impairment (II) compete in one class, regardless of the extent of activity limitation resulting from their impairment. Consequently, athletes with II that cause relatively minor difficulty in sport have a competitive advantage over athletes who have intellectual impairments that cause more significant advantage. This research investigated the efficacy of a measure of health-related functional impairment, derived from the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), as a tool to classify athletes with intellectual impairments (II) into groups with impairments that cause similar activity limitation. The first study used a Delphi technique to identify the most relevant codes within the ICF from which a measure of impairment presence and severity was derived. The second study investigated whether the measure could discriminate between groups of II athletes organized into three competition groups, and whether these groups could be predicted by ICF score. The ICF-based questionnaire shows promise as a conceptual approach and as a tool in this context, but this is a preliminary step before establishing a sport-specific approach to classification.

Conceptual model of sport-specific classification for para-athletes with intellectual impairment.

The present paper describes the conceptual basis of evidence-based classification of para-athletes with intellectual impairment (II). An extensive description of the theoretical and conceptual foundation of the system as currently conceived is provided, as are examples of its applications in the three sports included in the Paralympic programme for II-athletes in 2020 (i.e., athletics, swimming and table tennis). Evidence-based classification for II-athletes is driven by two central questions: i. How can intellectual impairment be substantiated in a valid and reliable way, and ii. Does intellectual impairment limit optimal sport proficiency? Evolution of the system and current best practice for addressing these questions are described, and suggestions for future research and development are provided. Challenges of understanding and assessing a complex (multifaceted and intersectional) impairment in the context of sport also are considered.

Promotion of Para athlete well-being in South Africa (the PROPEL studies): Profiles and prevalence of psychological distress.

OBJECTIVES: There is a paucity of research investigating mental health in Para athletes. The aim of this study was to describe mental health concerns of a representative sample of South African Para athletes. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted at the 2019 National Championships for athletes with impairments. METHODS: Mental health was measured with the Trait component of the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). Between-group differences were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test or one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: A total of 125 athletes were included. The average score for the STAI-T was 39 (±9) units, whilst a quarter (25%) of all athletes scored ≥45. The mean K-10 questionnaire score was 20 (±6) units. K-10 scores indicated that 12 % of athletes may meet formal definitions for anxiety and/or depressive disorders (score of ≥28), while 76 % of athletes have a high level of subclinical symptoms (score of ≥16). On average, females (36 ±â€¯9) had better STAI-T scores than males (40 ±â€¯9; p = 0.02) and married athletes (33 ±â€¯9) had better scores than unmarried athletes (40 ±â€¯9; p = 0.002). K-10 scores were also significantly better in married than in unmarried athletes (p = 0.002), but there was no difference between sexes. Neither the K-10 nor STAI-T was associated with level of competition, sport code or impairment type. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified a high prevalence of psychological distress and anxiety among South African Para athletes, compared to the general population. There is a need to further understand factors contributing to mental health in this population.

The role of resilience on motivation among brazilian athletics and swimming parathletes / O papel da resiliência sobre a motivação de paratletas brasileiros de atletismo e natação

ABSTRACT This cross-secctional study investigated the role of resilience on motivation among athletics and swimming parathletes. The subjects were 64 male (n=41) and female (n=23) parathletes from North and Northeast regions of Brazil. The parathletes were practitioners of athletics (69.5%) and swimming (30.5%), with mean age of 28.42±11.32 years. The instruments were the Sport Motivation Scale-II and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Data analysis was conducted thorugh Kolmogorov Smirnov, Spearman correlation and Path Analysis (p<0.05). The results showed that resilience showed significant correlation (p<0.05) with all controlled and autonomous regulations: external (r=0.29), introjected (r=0.40), identified (r=0.29), integrated (r=0.26) and intrinsic (r=0.42). Path Analysis revealed that that resilience showed a significant (p 0.05) and effect on intrinsic, introjected and external regulations, explaining 16%, 11% and 11% of the variance of the variables, respectively. It should be noted that resilience had a moderate and positive effect on intrinsic (β=0.40), introjected (β=0.33) and external (β=0.33) regulations. It was concluded that in the context of the paralympic athletics and swimming, resilience seems to be an intervening factor on both autonomous and controlled motivation.

RESUMO Este estudo transversal analisou o papel da resiliência sobre a motivação de paratletas de atletismo e natação. Os sujeitos foram 64 atletas do sexo masculino (n = 41) e feminino (n = 23) das regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil. Os atletas eran das modalidades de atletismo (69,5%) e natação (30,5%), com idade média de 28,42 ± 11,32 anos. Os instrumentos foram a Escala de Motivação Esportiva II e a Escala de Resiliência Connor-Davidson. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, correlação de Spearman e a Path Analysis (p <0,05). Os resultados mostraram que a resiliência apresentou correlação significativa (p <0,05) com todas as regulações de motivação autônoma e controlada: externa (r = 0,29), introjetada (r = 0,40), identificada (r = 0, 29), integrada (r = 0,26 ) e intrínseca (r = 0,42). Path Analysis revelou que a resiliência apresentou efeito significativo (p < 0,05) sobre as regulações intrínseca, introjetada e externa, explicando 16%, 11% e 11% da variância das variáveis, respectivamente. Destaca-se que que o efeito foi moderado e positivo sobre as regulações intrínseca (β = 0,40), introjetada (β = 0,33) e externa (β = 0,33). Concluiu-se que, no contexto do atletismo e da natação paralímpica, a resiliência parece ser um fator interveniente na motivação autônoma e controladaa.

Comparing Developmental Trajectories of Elite Able-Bodied and Wheelchair Basketball Players.

Little is known about the factors influencing Paralympic athletes' journey to expertise and whether these athletes have trajectories similar to those of their able-bodied (AB) peers. The purpose of this project was to compare the developmental trajectories of wheelchair and AB basketball players. A total of 150 participants completed the Developmental History of Athletes Questionnaire. Results revealed that while AB athletes reached early career milestones at a significantly younger age, athletes with congenital impairments reached midcareer milestones at similar ages to AB athletes. In addition, athletes with acquired impairments were able to reach key late-career performance milestones (i.e., national and international debuts) at a similar age to the other two groups. The findings from this study suggest complex developmental pathways that may not be reflected in current developmental models. Therefore, the authors suggest that scientists and practitioners be cognizant of context-specific needs when providing training recommendations.

Player and Parent Experiences with Child and Adolescent Power Soccer Sport Participation.

PURPOSE: To provide insight into the experiences of power soccer players and their parents to inform rehabilitation practice. METHODS: Primary data for this Interpretive Description study were individual interviews with five power soccer athletes, ranging from 11 to 17 years of age, and three parents of power soccer players. Observational field notes were also used. RESULTS: Five inter-related themes were developed: 1) Level playing field, 2) I am an athlete, 3) Important "life lessons" are gained through team sports, 4) The value of belonging to a community, and 5) Role of the rehabilitation community in supporting power mobility sports. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study demonstrate the benefits and challenges of power sport participation. The results encourage therapists to share information about sport opportunities with families and to consider a broad range of contexts when assessing for power mobility.

Gritty, hardy, resilient, and socially supported: A replication study.

BACKGROUND: The present study adds to the knowledge base in positive psychology and disability sport psychology by replicating and extending the research of Martin, Byrd, Watts, and Dent (2015). OBJECTIVES: In the current study we replicated previous findings by predicting life quality and sport engagement using measures of grit, hardiness, and resilience. We also extended the work of Martin et al. (2015) by examining athlete social support. METHODS: Eighty-seven adult (80 men, 7 women) wheelchair rugby athletes with various disabilities (e.g., amputee) participated in the current study. They completed questionnaires at rugby tournaments or on-line assessing grit, hardiness, resilience, social support and life satisfaction and sport engagement. RESULTS: Overall, the regression equation predicting life satisfaction was significant, F (4, 81) = 9.67, p < .00, accounting for thirty-two percent of the variance. One variable, resilience, contributed unique meaningful variance as indicated by its significant beta weight (ß = 0.46, p < .001). The regression analyses predicting sport engagement was also significant, F (4, 81) = 12.08, p < .001, and predicted 37% of the variance. Grit (ß = 0.21, p < .05), social support (ß = 0.25, p < .01), resilience (ß = 0.23, p < .05), and hardiness (ß = 0.27, p < .05) were all significant predictors. CONCLUSION: Athletes reporting high levels of resilience reported the highest quality of life. Athletes reporting high levels of grit, resilience, hardiness, and social support were the most engaged in their sport. We also partially replicated the work of Martin et al. (2015).

Non-accidental harms ('abuse') in athletes with impairment ('para athletes'): a state-of-the-art review.

OBJECTIVE: Para athletes reap significant health benefits from sport but are vulnerable to non-accidental harms. Little is known about the types and impacts of non-accidental harms Para athletes face. In this literature review, we summarise current knowledge and suggest priorities for future research related to non-accidental harms in Para athletes. DESIGN: Six electronic databases were searched between August and September 2017. 2245 articles were identified in the initial title/abstract review, and 202 records were selected for full-text review following preliminary screening. Two independent examiners evaluated each full text, and eight citations were selected based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus and Academic Search Premier. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Inclusion criteria: (A) human participants; (B) written in English; (C) descriptive, cohort and case series, case-control, qualitative, mixed methods studies and all clinical trials; and (D) data pertain to harassment/abuse of youth, recreational, collegiate, national-level and/or elite-level athletes with a physical and/or intellectual impairment. RESULTS: Most studies focused on young, visually impaired athletes and approximately half of all studies described high rates of bullying and its social implications. One study confirmed remarkably high rates of psychological, physical and sexual harms in Para athletes, compared with able-bodied peers. CONCLUSIONS: Bullying in young, visually impaired athletes is described most commonly in the available literature. Due to the limited amount of data, the prevalence of non-accidental harms in Para athletes remains unclear and information on trends over time is similarly unavailable.

A Comparison of Self-Reported Unmet Healthcare Needs among Adaptive and Able-Bodied Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed a higher incidence of injury and illness among elite adaptive athletes when compared to able-bodied athletes in competition. However, individuals with disabilities report poorer access to health care. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify differences in healthcare access, satisfaction, and unmet needs between recreational adaptive and able-bodied athletes in all sports and within a single sport (hockey). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, survey-based study. SETTING: Recreation sports programs in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL. PARTICIPANTS: Adult, recreational, competitive adaptive, and able-bodied athletes. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The Short-Form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) for healthcare access and satisfaction; percentage of athletes reporting unmet sports-related healthcare needs in the prior year. RESULTS: Sixty adaptive athletes (78% male, age 35.7 ± 12.4 years) and 65 able-bodied athletes (40% male, age 34.9 ± 11.9 years) participated. Mean access and satisfaction scores were not significantly different between groups in all sports (P = .53 and P = .19, respectively) or hockey (P = .28 and P = .55, respectively). Unmet needs were more commonly reported among adaptive athletes (18.3% all sports, 20.0% hockey) as compared to able-bodied athletes (9.2% all sports, 4.0% hockey). This reached statistical significance in the hockey group (P = .03), but not all sports (P = .12). CONCLUSIONS: No differences were seen between groups in healthcare access or satisfaction scores. Adaptive athletes of the same sport reported a higher rate of unmet sports-related healthcare needs but with few doctor's visits in the preceding year, suggesting discrepancies in expectations and healthcare-seeking behavior. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.