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Time cost associated with sports participation for athletes with high support needs : A time-motion analysis of tasks required for para swimming
Dutia, Iain Curran, Declan Donohoe, Adam Beckman, Emma Tweedy, Sean Michael
Dutia, Iain
Curran, Declan
Donohoe, Adam
Beckman, Emma
Tweedy, Sean Michael
Abstract
Objectives People with cerebral palsy and high support needs (CP&HSN) are profoundly inactive but also under-represented in studies evaluating physical activity interventions. Reasons for their exclusion have not been evaluated. We hypothesised that CP&HSN would be associated with high time costs of preparatory activities (eg, getting dressed/undressed), possibly contributing to low participation and under-representation. Accordingly, this pilot study aimed to: (1) evaluate whether the time required for preparatory activities was extremely different (≥3 SD) between swimmers with and without CP&HSN; and (2) provide a qualitative indication of the preparatory tasks undertaken by swimmers with CP&HSN.
Methods Each of three experienced (5 years) para swimmers with CP&HSN and 20 non-disabled swimmers were timed entering and then exiting the pool on three occasions. Mean entry and exit time for each para swimmer was compared with the group mean for non-disabled swimmers, and differences of greater than 3.0 SD were considered extreme. A qualitative description of the tasks completed by the para swimmers was recorded.
Results The differences in time costs between para and non-disabled swimmers met the criterion of extreme. Pool entry times for para swimmers were 8–13 times greater (Effect size = 4.1–8.7). Pool exit times were 6–10 times greater (ES=7.0–9.5). 90% of tasks completed by para swimmers required personal assistance or wheeled mobility.
Conclusions This pilot study suggests that, compared with non-disabled swimmers, time costs for preparation to commence or depart training are extremely high for swimmers with CP&HSN. Further research is required to evaluate the veracity of these findings.
Keywords
Date
2022
Type
Journal article
Journal
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
Book
Volume
8
Issue
4
Page Range
1-7
Article Number
Article e001418
ACU Department
School of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC 4.0
File Access
Open