Effects of Adapted Sports on Quality of Life in People with Physical Disabilities: A Brief Review

Abstract

Regular physical activity (PA) improves overall health, reduces the risk of many diseases, strengthens muscles and bones, lowers blood pressure, slows resting heart rate, increases lung capacity, and improves the immune system, balance, and coordination of movement in the general population and in people with physical disabilities. Adapted sports allows people who cannot otherwise participate in personal activities, to engage in regular PA. The literature collected in this brief review suggests that involvement in adapted sports improves several areas of quality of life for people with physical disabilities. The majority of people with physical disabilities have poorer general health, limited social integration, and lower quality of life. In our literature review, we found that participation in adapted sports is an effective way to improve different domains of quality of life in people with physical disabilities. PA and sport have been shown to be very important factors in maintaining general health, social inclusion, and psychological well-being.