title: Examining elite Parasport athletes with sport involvement and sports equipment.
abstract: Elite athletes require the most advanced sports equipment to maintain their competitive edge, but manufacturers cannot always satisfy these athletes' specific equipment needs. Sport involvement can influence sports-equipment selections and is described as the process by which individuals rely on attitudes and belief systems to make sports-related consumption decisions. This study involved semistructured interviews with 5 elite Parasport athletes to identify and analyze the role of sport involvement in their selection of sports equipment. The results revealed that the athletes identified product limitations, created a collaborative environment, and promoted a culture of innovation to develop new sports products and address existing limitations. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
authors.forename: Marion E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hambrick
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hums
authors.forename: Glenna G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Bower
authors.forename: Eli A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D003256:Community Participation; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D062069:Inventions; D020335:Paraparesis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013177:Sports