Considering values in the sport experiences of wheelchair basketball players

Abstract

PurposeThe paper aims to discuss a diversity of sport experiences in individuals with physical disabilities who are members of a wheelchair basketball club. The sample of the study consisted of 10 males with physical disabilities (aged 18–40 years).MethodsThe study used in-depth interviews, and a systems method was applied to analyse the interview data. The method allows for examining sport as a value which is neither fully autonomous nor predetermined.ResultsDespite the differences in the sample, it can be assumed that players with physical disabilities experience sport in similar ways. However, their experiences may differ in terms of kinds, forms, contents, positions, and functions of sport. This diversity represents the dynamics of relations, interactions, and interdependences among values in the participants’ respective axiological systems. Besides, it also reflects the ways in which the participants perceive themselves in the context of multiple practices of daily life.ConclusionsAn essential difference between the experience of players from various countries may therefore lie chiefly in the context (e.g. social, economic, political) in which players function and in which they realize particular values. Further research should take this context into account and investigate in particular its dependencies and relations with other values, such as health, physical ability, work, education, etc. Also, research concerning how sport is experienced from the perspective of different types and levels of disability or from the perspective of gender could prove interesting.

The physiological response of athletes with impairments in wheelchair basketball game

“…Additionally, HRR and percentage of HRR (%HRR) were calculated. HRR is the difference between maximum HR in a game (HR peak ) and resting HR (HR rest ) [7,10]: HRR = HR peak -HR rest (1) %HRR was calculated with the use of the following formula: %HRR = (HR av -HR rest )*100/HRR…”

“…Wheelchair basketball (Wb) a is popular and wellknown sports discipline for people with impairments. the importance of Wb for athletes in their daily lives was strongly underlined in the literature [1]. Wb is a Paralympic team sport for individuals with physical impairments characterized by chronically disabling conditions which result in loss of use of the legs, e.g.…”