Facilitators and barriers in sport experiences of athletes with physical disabilities: an explorative study

Abstract

This paper assumes the ICF system as theoretical framework and It focuses on facilitators and barriers on sport for persons with physical disabilities. The scientific literature has shown a lack of this type of works in national contest and the presence of international survey based on heterogeneous theoretical frameworks. After a short introduction about well-being construct, the work presents part of scientific literature that describes sport as personal well-being factor. Subsequently, the empirical phase: the outcomes highlight that the motivational aspects (firstly, desire of fun) are preponderant in determining the
start and the continuation of agonistic practice. Instead, the environmental factors play a barriers role (firstly, the poor usability of existing sport facilities). Sport supports the growth of personal autonomy and It helps the development of a rewarding life design. At level of care network, It is necessary to improve the usability of sport facilities, the efficacy of economic incentives and the educational and cultural sensitivity toward the Paralympic sport.
Therefore we have to expand the survey and to socialize the outcomes with different stakeholders, in order to re-project the sport opportunities for people with physical disabilities.