Influence of adapted sport on quality of life: perceptions of athletes with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to examine the effect of adaptive sports participation on athletic identity and influence on quality of life (QOL) for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) participating in the CP World Games.


METHODS
Surveys were conducted with 73 international athletes competing in the 2005 CP World Championships. The survey included descriptive questions about sport involvement and socio-demographics, the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale, and the Influence on Quality of Life Scale.


RESULTS
A significant relationship was found between influence on QOL and athletic identity (r = 0.505; p < 0.001). There was a moderate negative correlation between influence of adaptive sport on QOL and severity of disability (r = -0.264, p < 0.05). The majority of the sample either agreed or strongly agreed that adaptive sport positively influenced their overall health (84.9%) quality of life (80.8%), quality of family life (53.4%), and quality of social life (56.1%). Athletic identity (beta = 0.54) was the strongest predictor of influence on QOL with severity of disability (beta = -0.29) also a significant contributor. These athletes also had significantly higher mean AIMS scores when compared to collegiate non-athletes, collegiate recreational athletes, and recreational athletes with disabilities.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that participation in adapted sport is related to QOL and athletic identity for individuals with CP. To foster these benefits advocates for persons with disabilities should work toward increasing opportunities to compete in sports.
Groff
Diane G
DG
Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. groff@email.unc.edu
Lundberg
Neil R
NR
Zabriskie
Ramon B
RB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult