The Gatekeepers to Fitness: A Correspondence Study to Examine Disabling Practices Among Fitness Center Personnel

Examining Ableism Through the Physical Activity Experiences of Blind and Visually Impaired Women

PURPOSE

This study examined how ableism influences blind and visually impaired women's experiences accessing and engaging in exercise, physical activity, and sport.

METHODS

Ten women between the ages of 27 and 45 years completed a one-on-one audio-recorded virtual interview where they reflected on the meaningfulness of their exercise, physical activity, and/or sport experiences, as well as described any experiences related to direct, indirect, systemic, or internalized ableism within or when attempting to access those physical activity experiences. The interview transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

The analysis resulted in the construction of 2 themes that depicted the participants' experiences: (1) "It's exhausting": navigating inaccessibility and (2) "You feel like a fish out of water": internalized ableism.

DISCUSSION

The themes highlight the participants' experiences which were largely focused on being forced to navigate inaccessible environments which resulted in exhaustion and expressions of internalized ableism. These findings provide insight into what makes and does not make a physical activity space accessible and welcoming for blind and visually impaired adults.

Should I stay or should I go? An exploratory study comparing wheelchair-adapted rowing at home vs. in community gyms

PURPOSE

Wheelchair users experience many barriers to physical activity as affordable and accessible exercise equipment options are limited. Thus, the home-based adapted rower (aROW) and gym-based aROW were developed. The objectives were to determine: 1) wheelchair users' preferences, perspectives, facilitators, and barriers to using the home-based versus the gym-based aROW, 2) perceived usability of the home and gym aROWs, and 3) recommendations to adapt the aROW further for home and community use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this two-phase exploratory mixed-methods study, participants completed one month of using a home aROW, followed by one month of using a community gym aROW. After each phase, participants completed a semi-structured interview and the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. Interview data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and effect size comparing SUS data was calculated.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Four categories were identified: what worked well, barriers to using the aROWs, what could be improved and important considerations. There was a large effect size in perceived usability between the aROWs with participants preferring the home aROW. Overall, rowing was enjoyable, and participants achieved positive physical outcomes. As preferences are individual, the home aROW provides wheelchair users with a potential choice between home or gym exercise.

"WOT" Do We Know and Do About Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities? A SWOT-Oriented Synthesis of Para Report Cards

The purpose was to synthesize information gathered from the interpretation and conclusion sections of the Global Matrix of Para Report Cards on the physical activity of children and adolescents with disabilities. The synthesis was based on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats framework. The procedure consisted of three stages: (a) the application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as the theoretical framework; (b) identifying and aligning Global Matrix indicators and benchmarks with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health components through a Delphi approach; and (c) using content analysis to identify themes from specific report cards. Outcomes reveal that further attention toward including children and adolescents with disabilities in fitness assessments is needed as well as adapted assessment methods. Program availability, equipment and facilities, and professional training emerged as strengths but need further development to overcome weaknesses. Paralympic inspiration was an opportunity, whereas extreme weather conditions presented potential threats to physical activity participation among children and adolescents with disabilities.

"Moving Freely in Space with Power and Not Be Afraid": An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Elite Rowers with Visual Impairment

Due to the accessibility of the sport of rowing for individuals with visual impairment (VI), rowers with VI are a unique population because they have the potential to be just as competitive outside of Para-rowing as sighted rowers. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of elite rowers with VI in relation to the benefits and challenges of those experiences as well as their peer and coach relationships. Adopting an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach to guide data collection, analysis, and interpretation, eight participants with VI who rowed on the national level or higher were recruited and interviewed. The analysis identified four major themes: Empowerment Through Rowing, Rowing Through Feel, Changing Perceptions, and Forming Influential Relationships. The identified themes illustrate the influence of rowing upon the participants' lives, careers, and successes, as well as the disability awareness of the coaches and peers influencing their experiences.