The influence of sports facilities' accessibility, motivation, and satisfaction on word-of-mouth and re-participation intentions of athletes with physical disabilities

Abstract

More than a billion people are estimated to live with some form of disability, or about 15% of the world’s population and the number is still growing. People with disabilities are less likely to participate in sports due to several physical barriers they face. In an effort to find ways to increase the sports participation rate of people with disabilities, the concept of marketing (satisfaction, word-of-mouth intention, and re-participation intention) was applied to the field of accessibility for the first time. This study consisted of three objectives: (1) to find out the dimension of sports facilities’ accessibility and motivation, (2) to examine the effect of sports facilities’ accessibility on word-of-mouth and re-participation intentions through satisfaction, and (3) to explore the effect of motivation on re-participation intention. Data were collected from 330 athletes with physical disabilities in 22 disability sports events. Factor analysis revealed seven dimensions of sports facilities’ accessibility and three dimensions of motivation. Structural equation model (SEM) findings demonstrated that sports facilities’ accessibility significantly influenced both word-of-mouth and re-participation intentions through satisfaction, and motivation had a direct effect on re-participation intention. The results of this study broadened the knowledge in the field which later leads to better management and performance of sports facilities, particularly for athletes/people with physical disabilities.