Recreational Sport Programs for Emerging Adults with a Disability: Exploring Quality Experiences and the Social Environment

Recreational sport provides leisure and community opportunities to many individuals. Specifically, recreational sport can provide continuity during the transition from adolescence to adulthood when many life changes occur (e.g., school, work). For individuals with a disability, this transitional period (ages 18 – 25 years) may be extremely important as there is an abrupt ending to community programming after adolescence. This doctoral research program explored the social and transitionary experiences of emerging adults with a disability in recreational sport programs. Study 1, a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature, identified limited research and a lack of explicit discussion of peer interactions in recreational sport programs for emerging adults with a disability. Study 2 used a mixed methods approach to observe and explore the peer interactions that occur for emerging adults with a disability within recreational sport programs. Conducted in communities across Ontario (two women, six men, and three sport programs), Study 2 combined dynamic systems and qualitative approaches to highlight the non-normative ways individuals with a disability may interact and achieve a sense of belonging on a recreational sports team. Finally, Study 3 presents a case study of a recreational paddling program for individuals with an intellectual disability. All persons involved in the program (i.e., administration, coaches, athletes, and parents) engaged in a multi-method, two-month case study of the social environment, development, and experiences of participating in such a program with attention focused on the role peers may (not) have. Study 3 highlights issues of disablism – socially-imposed barriers to full participation – that occurred within the paddling program and the necessity of coach training regulation to ensure coaches understand foundational coaching strategies along with disability-relevant knowledge (e.g., communication strategies). Overall, this doctoral research program highlights the individuality in social experiences within recreational sport contexts, the extended role of parents in their adult children’s lives, and the role that recreational sport can play on the transitionary experiences of emerging adults with a disability.Ph.D

Youth Sport Participation and Peer Support in the Context of Physical Disability: A Qualitative Perspective

Despite the benefits of sport participation, there is a limited understanding on how to initiate and maintain sport participation among youth with physical disabilities. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the role of peers in supporting sport participation among youth with physical disabilities using self-determination theory’s (SDT) mini-theories as guiding frameworks. Interviews were conducted with eight youth with physical disabilities using youth-engaging strategies, and inductively-deductively thematic analysis. Youth participated in a variety of sports, predominantly at the recreational level. Peers’ changing roles throughout the youths’ progression was expressed in line with the three basic psychological needs of SDT. Multi-level need thwarting and supporting behaviours were also highlighted to play a role in sport engagement, and the manifestations of their sport internalization. Peers may assist in creating positive sport experiences for youth with physical disabilities by fulfilling the basic psychological needs of SDT.M.Sc.2017-06-30 00:00:0

"I've Had Bad Experiences With Team Sport": Sport Participation, Peer Need-Thwarting, and Need-Supporting Behaviors Among Youth Identifying With Physical Disability

This study was guided by self-determination theory to explore the sport experiences of youth with a physical disability and the role of peers within this context. Interviews were conducted with eight youths using a relational mapping technique and analyzed using a deductive thematic approach. Sport peers were broadly defined by the youth as individuals from a large age range and of all abilities. Youth perceived their sport peers to have dynamic roles throughout their participation in sport. The perceived roles of these sport peers included supporting and thwarting basic psychological needs, and influencing the youths' processing of sport internalization. Findings focus on the complexity of peer need-thwarting and need-supporting interactions in sport for youth with physical disabilities. Overall, peers have a multifaceted role in the sport experiences of youth identifying with a physical disability and may, in some cases, thwart youths' basic psychological needs.We would like to thank the participants for sharing their stories, the programs, and organizations that opened their doors to us, and the Canadian Disability Participation Project for their ongoing support

A Scoping Review of Inclusive Out-of-School Time Physical Activity Programs for Children and Youth With Physical Disabilities

The objective of this study was to comprehensively evaluate inclusive out-of-school time physical activity programs for children/youth with physical disabilities. A search of the published literature was conducted and augmented by international expertise. A quality appraisal was conducted; only studies with quality ratings ≥60% informed our best practice recommendations. Seventeen studies were included using qualitative (n = 9), quantitative (n = 5), or mixed (n = 3) designs. Programs had a diversity of age groups, group sizes, and durations. Most programs were recreational level, involving both genders. Rehabilitation staff were the most common leaders. Outcomes focused on social skills/relationships, physical skill development, and psychological well-being, with overall positive effects shown in these areas. The best practice recommendations are consistent with an abilities-based approach emphasizing common group goals and interests; cooperative activities; mastery-oriented, individualized instruction; and developmentally appropriate, challenging activities. Results indicate that inclusive out-of-school time physical activity programs are important for positive psychosocial and physical skill development of children/youth with physical disabilities

Quality of Participation Experiences in Special Olympics Sports Programs

This cross-sectional study examined experiential elements facilitating quality sport experiences for youth (ages 12-24) in Special Olympics, and the associated influences of sport program and sociodemographic characteristics. A total of 451 athletes involved in the 2019 Special Olympics Youth Games completed a survey assessing elements of quality participation (autonomy, belongingness, challenge, engagement, mastery, meaning). T-tests investigated whether athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) rated elements differently across Traditional and Unified Sport. Regression analyses explored whether sport program and sociodemographic characteristics were predictors of these elements. Youth reported high mean scores across the elements, with no significant differences between athletes with IDD in Traditional or Unified Sport. Athletes with no reported disability rated higher autonomy than those who reported disability (p = .01). Women tended to report greater engagement in sport than men (p = .07). Findings provide theoretical and practical insights into youth’s quality sport participation in Special Olympics.This study was made possible through the support and funding from Special Olympics Canad

Validity of smartphone pedometer applications

Abstract Background Given the widespread use of smartphone pedometer applications and the relatively limited number of published validity tests, this study examined the validity of three popular commercial smartphone pedometer applications (i.e., Accupedo, Moves, and Runtastic Pedometer). Participants Convenience samples of males and females were recruited for laboratory tests [n = 11; mean: aged 24.18 years (±3.06)] and a free-living test [n = 18; mean: aged 28.78 years (±9.52)]. Methods Five conditions were assessed: (a) 20-step test, (b) 40-step stair climbing, (c) treadmill walking and running at different speeds, (d) driving, and (e) 3-day free-living. The Yamax SW-200 pedometer and observed step counts were used as criterion measures. Results Analyses identified an unacceptable error percentage in all of the applications compared to the pedometer. Conclusions Given the inaccuracy of these applications, caution is required in their promotion to the public for self-monitoring physical activity and in their use as tools for assessing physical activity in research trials

Validity of smartphone pedometer applications

Background: Given the widespread use of smartphone pedometer applications and the relatively limited number of published validity tests, this study examined the validity of three popular commercial smartphone pedometer applications (i.e., Accupedo, Moves, and Runtastic Pedometer). Participants Convenience samples of males and females were recruited for laboratory tests [n = 11; mean: aged 24.18 years (±3.06)] and a free-living test [n = 18; mean: aged 28.78 years (±9.52)]. Methods Five conditions were assessed: (a) 20-step test, (b) 40-step stair climbing, (c) treadmill walking and running at different speeds, (d) driving, and (e) 3-day free-living. The Yamax SW-200 pedometer and observed step counts were used as criterion measures. Results Analyses identified an unacceptable error percentage in all of the applications compared to the pedometer. Conclusions Given the inaccuracy of these applications, caution is required in their promotion to the public for self-monitoring physical activity and in their use as tools for assessing physical activity in research trials.Education, Faculty ofNon UBCKinesiology, School ofReviewedFacult

MOESM1 of Validity of smartphone pedometer applications

Additional file 1. Instructions and tracking sheet provided to participants in the free-living test

Canadian physical activity guidelines for adults: are Canadians aware?

The present study evaluated awareness of the 2011 Canadian Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines for Adults and assessed correlates. Reported awareness of the PA guidelines was 12.9% (204/1586) of the total sample surveyed. Over half (55%) self-reported meeting PA guidelines of ≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week. Awareness of PA guidelines was significantly related to participants’ level of PA (χ2 (1) = 30.63, p< 0.001, φ = –0.14), but not to any demographic variables.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author