Barriers and Facilitators of Participation in Sports: A Qualitative Study on Dutch Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation

Abstract

IntroductionAlthough individuals with lower limb amputation may benefit from participation in sports, less than 40% do so.AimTo identify the barriers and facilitators that influence participation in sports for individuals with lower limb amputation.DesignQualitative study.ParticipantsTwenty six individuals with lower limb amputation, all originating from the Dutch provinces of Groningen and Drenthe, of which 13 athletes.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were used to gather information. Following thematic analysis, emerging themes were organized in three categories Technical, Social and Personal.ResultsSport was perceived as enjoyable activity that would help participants to become and stay healthy, improve the number of social contacts, reduce phantom pain and decrease daily tension. Inadequate facilities, problematic transportation, trivialization from others, poor health and lack of motivation or the lack of a sports partner were barriers commonly mentioned by non-athletes. Remarkably, while all athletes were successful prosthetic users, the majority chose to participate in sports for which prosthesis was neither required nor needed.ConclusionsEach individual with lower limb amputation needs to be counselled according to the barriers and facilitators he/she personally experiences. Athletes appeared to be more proactive in searching for a solution and also appeared less discouraged by failing.

Facilitadores e barreiras percebidas para a prática de atividade física por pessoas com deficiência motora

“…Ainda Bragaru et al (2013), ao entrevistar holandeses com deficiência motora, observaram que esses destacavam como facilitador o fato de o esporte ser uma atividade agradá-vel que os ajudava a manterem-se saudáveis, melhorar a socialização e reduzir a dor.…”

Determinants of dietary behaviour in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury or lower limb amputation: Perspectives of rehabilitation professionals and wheelchair users

“…People with mild or severe lower extremity mobility difficulties have the greatest risk of obesity, about 2.5 times greater compared to those without lower extremity mobility difficulties [2]. This increased risk is related to a decreased resting energy expenditure due to muscle atrophy and physical inactivity [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Furthermore, sitting time is associated with obesity in adults [9].…”

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“…Physical activity is defined as "any bodily movement that results in an increase in energy expenditure" (Caspersen, Powell, & Christenson, 1985, p. 126), and thus includes incidental and intentional activities, such as work, sports and home-related activities that result in energy expenditure. It is associated with a wide range of health benefits, such as prevention of chronic diseases, and improvement in cardiovascular and psychological functioning (Bragaru et al, 2013). Regular participation in physical activity has also been shown to improve overall wellbeing and quality of life in the general population (Bize et al, 2007), particularly when minimum recommended intensity and frequency guidelines are met (World Health Organisation, 2010).…”

“…The guide consisted of eight main topic categories, with related sub-questions. The guide followed a similar structure to that used by Bragaru et al (2013), with the interview starting with an informal conversation about the participant's age, occupation and amputation characteristics. Participants were then asked if they had questions and wished to continue further.…”

“…To ensure that the interview questions/prompts followed a logical order, the interview guide was trialled once with an adult aged over 60 years who had initially been non-weight bearing and then partially weight bearing on the right leg for over 10 months. Following the trial interview, the guide was adapted and improved in order to best collect unanticipated meanings and attitudes of the individuals (Bragaru et al, 2013).…”