Sport Participation for People with Disabilities: Exploring the Potential of Reverse Integration and Inclusion through Wheelchair Basketball

Abstract

Reverse integration is defined as the inclusion of able-bodied people into disability sport. For decades, there have been movements towards integrating people with a disability in mainstream society. There has been a lack of research supporting the movement of able-bodied involvement in disability sport, known as reverse integration. In this study, the real-life experiences and motivations of 11 national wheelchair basketball players (four able-bodied and seven with a disability) were explored, identifying the potential of reverse integration and what influenced the players involvement. Thematic analysis was employed using a deductive approach. The social-relational model was used as a framework to help interpret the findings. The results highlighted that health and social benefits were key factors towards prolonged engagement in wheelchair basketball, and it was reported that reverse integration led to an increased mutual understanding of the impact of (dis)ability. All participants reported positive experiences and supported able-bodied involvement, suggesting that able-bodied players play a key role and help to grow the sport locally. However, involvement of able-bodied players was not supported at international level. This challenges the concept of inclusion at higher level and whether the sport could be more inclusive. These findings could provide direction to coaches and policymakers for developing further inclusive opportunities at all levels. Further research may explore coach education programs and learning experiences of becoming an inclusive coach to ensure coaches know how to create, stimulate and coach in inclusive sport environments.

Influence of intellectual disability on exercise regulation: exploring verbal, auditory and visual guidance to contribute to promote inclusive exercise environments

“…As people judge competence, evaluate success and failure, and continue engaging in exercise and sports based on social comparisons,15 peers can offer positive sport and exercise participation experiences and facilitate the sport-related skills acquisition of people with ID during submaximal exercise activities 43. However, it is worth mentioning that to promote equity in sports, it is crucial to provide a range of sport opportunities for people with and without ID, including regular sports with no modifications as well as segregated sport activities 42 44…”

Empowering motivation: the journey of wheelchair basketball athletes to overcome constraints

“… Moss et al (2020) see wheelchair basketball as an important element in accepting disability as a ‘meaningful pursuit that opens doors’. Again, Ramsden et al (2023) also stated in their study that wheelchair basketball has positive effects on psychological health.…”

“…On the other hand, it is seen to be an important factor in encouraging participation in terms of physical health. In this direction, Ramsden et al (2023) stated that wheelchair basketball athletes’ physical health and expectations are an important source of motivation. Additionally, Fiorilli et al (2013) reported that athletes who participated in wheelchair basketball had better psychological well-being than those who did not participate.…”

“…With the effect of the role of wheelchair basketball in increasing functionality and independence, wheelchair basketball has recently become a popular sport in which many athletes compete worldwide ( Özen et al, 2016 ; Ramsden et al, 2023 ) and is becoming highly engaging and exciting for the audience ( Cavalcante et al, 2022 ). In this respect, it is thought to be important to know the factors that motivate and maintain motivation for wheelchair basketball participation ( Perreault and Vallerand, 2007 ).…”

“…In addition, in order to increase the participation of disabled individuals in general and wheelchair basketball in particular, it is important to understand the values and perceptions of the individual regarding the sports experience ( Perreault and Vallerand, 2007 ; Bates et al, 2019 ; Ramsden et al, 2023 ). In this respect, there is a need for research examining the foundations of motivation from a subjective perspective ( White and Duda, 1993 ; Perreault and Vallerand, 2007 ).…”