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Dean NA, Bundon A, Howe PD, Abele N. "It Looks Good on Paper, But It Was Never Meant to Be Real": Mixed-Gender Events in the Paralympic Movement. Adapt Phys Activ Q 2024; 41:205-228. [PMID: 37890836 DOI: 10.1123/apaq.2022-0195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the Paralympic Games have been around for over 60 years, women remain underrepresented in almost all aspects of the Paralympic Movement. It has been suggested that a way to increase women's involvement is through the implementation of mixed-gender events. On paper, this approach makes sense. However, when it comes to the implementation of mixed-gender opportunities for women, it is less clear how effective these events are in increasing participation by women in Para sport. Through document analysis and interviews with athletes and organizers of mixed-gender Paralympic sport, we explore the various strategies that four mixed-gender sports have used to address the issue of gender parity. Using critical feminist theories, we illustrate how larger social, political, and cultural ideas about gender influence women's experiences within these events and discuss the potential of using mixed-gender initiatives to address gender parity within the Paralympic Movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus A Dean
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrea Bundon
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - P David Howe
- School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Natalie Abele
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Dean NA, Marwaha A, Grasdal M, Leong S, Mesa A, Krassioukov AV, Bundon A. Perspectives from the spinal cord injury community with teleSCI services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2024; 19:446-453. [PMID: 35797988 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2096932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experiences with and perceptions towards teleSCI services during the COVID-19 global pandemic in British Columbia, Canada. METHOD Using maximum variation sampling, we invited selected individuals from a larger quantitative dataset (n = 71) to partake in an interview. In total, 12 individuals participated in the study. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were then coded and analysed by team members using qualitative descriptive analysis. RESULTS Individuals with an SCI perceived teleSCI services to be convenient, accessible, affordable, and an effective way to access some healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in-person healthcare was still needed by many participants to effectively manage and treat their SCI-associated secondary conditions. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that, in a post-pandemic world, the SCI community would benefit from blended models of healthcare delivery that leverage telecommunication technologies to increase accessibility to healthcare while still providing in-person care for assessments and treatments.Implications for RehabilitationIndividuals with an SCI perceived teleSCI services to be convenient, accessible, affordable, and an effective way to access some healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in-person healthcare was still needed and desired by those with an SCI to effectively manage and treat their SCI-associated secondary conditions.In a post-pandemic world, individuals with an SCI would benefit from blended models of healthcare delivery that leverage telecommunication technologies to increase accessibility to healthcare, while still providing in-person care for those requiring ongoing treatment and management of secondary conditions associated with the patient's SCI.TeleSCI services offer the potential to allow healthcare professionals and SCI specialists to collaborate (digitally) with patients at the same time. This patient-centered approach could not only help healthcare professionals strategize effective remedies to better manage secondary conditions associated with SCI but could result in overall better-quality care received by those within the SCI community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus A Dean
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Arshdeep Marwaha
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mark Grasdal
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sarah Leong
- Neuromotion Physiotherapy + Rehabilitation, Kitsilano Physiotherapy Clinic, Treloar Physiotherapy Clinic, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Adam Mesa
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Andrea Bundon
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Jeawon M, Hase B, Miller S, Eng JJ, Bundon A, Chaudhury H, Maffin J, Clarkson R, Wright J, Mortenson WB. Understanding the experiences, needs, and strengths of people with incomplete spinal cord injury who can ambulate. Disabil Rehabil 2024; 46:546-555. [PMID: 36740758 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2171495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the experiences, needs, and strengths of people with incomplete spinal cord injury who can ambulate and to explore and discuss potential supports, services, and programs that would best assist them in the community. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this qualitative descriptive study, interviews were the primary means of data collection. These were supplemented with descriptive standardized measures of function and life satisfaction. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS Twenty-four participants were interviewed, their average age was 55 years and 46% were female. We identified three themes: 'I really couldn't go there', described the physical and social barriers experienced by participants, 'It'd be really nice to let the public know there are people out there like me' expressed the desire for greater social understanding of incomplete spinal cord injury, and 'I just don't quit', displayed the perseverance that participants demonstrated following their injury. CONCLUSION Findings indicate service providers to improve the inclusion of ambulatory individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury in their programs. Suggestions include designing programs (community, healthcare, return to work, peer support), environments using the principles of universal design for people with incomplete spinal cord injury who ambulate, and increasing consideration of their perspectives.Implication for rehabilitation:People with incomplete spinal cord injury who can ambulate live with invisible impairments, which are often not acknowledged by family, friends, health professionals, and people with complete spinal cord injuryThey may feel excluded from activities (organized by spinal cord injury associations) that were originally designed for people with complete spinal cord injuryGreater awareness among health professionals, friends, family, and people with complete spinal cord injury of the needs of people with incomplete spinal cord injury who can ambulate is needed to increase their inclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murveena Jeawon
- Department of Occupational Sciences and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Bethany Hase
- Department of Occupational Sciences and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Susanna Miller
- Department of Occupational Sciences and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Janice J Eng
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Andrea Bundon
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Habib Chaudhury
- Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Maffin
- Spinal Cord Injury - British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ryan Clarkson
- Spinal Cord Injury - British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jenna Wright
- Spinal Cord Injury - British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - W Ben Mortenson
- Department of Occupational Sciences and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Derakhshan P, Miller WC, Bundon A, Labbé D, Bolt T, Mortenson WB. Adaptive outdoor physical activities for adults with mobility disability: a scoping review. Front Rehabil Sci 2024; 4:1331971. [PMID: 38259872 PMCID: PMC10801018 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1331971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Outdoor physical activity (PA) contributes to the physical and mental health and well-being of individuals with a mobility impairment. However, individuals are commonly excluded from outdoor PA because of accessibility challenges. No reviews summarizing evidence on factors that facilitate/hinder participation and inclusion of individuals with mobility disabilities in adaptive outdoor PA were identified.. This makes it challenging to establish the key components for implementing inclusive outdoor PA interventions. A scoping review was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to participation in adaptive outdoor PA and identify suggestions for adaptive outdoor PA design. Methods A scoping review of qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted based on the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley with modifications by Levac. Barriers and facilitators were categorized into four levels based on a Social Ecological Model (SEM). Suggestions for interventions designed to overcome accessibility issues of outdoor PA were classified based on Universal Design (UD). Results Thirty-seven factors regarding barriers and facilitators of outdoor adaptive PA were extracted from 19 studies published between 2002 and 2023. Barriers and facilitators were identified primarily in four levels of the SEM, including intrapersonal, social-environmental, physical-environmental, and policy-related. Eleven design suggestions were identified and categorized according to the seven principles of UD. This study identified gaps in the presented barriers and facilitators and the design suggestions of the included studies, mainly at the social and environmental level, such as a lack of innovation in program delivery and logistics. Conclusion This study identified gaps in knowledge about facilitators and barriers to outdoor adaptive PA and in the design of interventions addressing them. Future research should focus on the strategies addressing these gaps by involving individuals with mobility disability in designing interventions to gain a better insight into their needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Derakhshan
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William C. Miller
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrea Bundon
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Delphine Labbé
- Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Tanelle Bolt
- Founder of RAD, Recreational Adaptive Society, Invermere, BC, Canada
| | - W. Ben Mortenson
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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O'Rourke JJ, Bundon A, Faulkner G, Cruwys T, Beauchamp MR. Street soccer and homelessness: Exploring social identities, health, and well-being. Psychol Sport Exerc 2024; 70:102529. [PMID: 37757715 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Membership in social and physical activity groups has the potential to help people with a range of physical and mental health challenges. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of members of a unique physical activity group: people who were formerly or currently homeless participating in a street soccer program in Western Canada. Ten participants in the Vancouver Street Soccer League (VSSL) were interviewed about the extent to which this program fostered a sense of community, social connectivity, and quality of life among people with experience of homelessness. Interviews were augmented with a Social Identity Mapping activity and observations from the first author who took part in weekly practice with the VSSL for over a year. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, in which four themes were developed to reflect the findings. These included (1) Coming together through soccer, (2) Dynamics motivating continued involvement in the league, (3) Leaders and leadership: Social influence in the league, and (4) The league and health outcomes. The findings provide insight into how a street soccer program which fostered shared social identity, psychological safety, friendly competition, and social support contributed to the well-being of people impacted by homelessness, various traumas, and marginalisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J O'Rourke
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Andrea Bundon
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Guy Faulkner
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tegan Cruwys
- Research School of Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Mark R Beauchamp
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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Labbé D, Tao G, Maas ET, Best K, Bundon A, Sauvé J, Miller WC. Predicting high quality of participation in adaptive snow-sports for individuals with disabilities: An exploratory study. Psychol Sport Exerc 2023; 69:102501. [PMID: 37665936 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This exploratory study aimed to examine the individual, program and environmental (social and physical) characteristics which predict high quality of participation in adaptive snowsports for each dimension of the Quality of Participation in Parasport Framework (QPPF): autonomy, belongingness, mastery, challenge, engagement and meaning. METHODS A survey was completed by 133 individuals with disabilities or their representatives on each dimension of the QPPF in adaptive snowsports and on the factors impacting the quality of participation. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study participants, and a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed for each dimension of the QPPF to evaluate the relative contribution of individual, snowsport-related, program and environmental factors to each dimension. RESULTS Individuals with disabilities in this study reported high quality of participation on all dimensions of the QPPF. The individual characteristics only predicted the QPPF dimension of challenge. However, the program and environmental characteristics such as equipment, number of instructors and barriers were robust predictors of quality of participation. CONCLUSION Overall, participants experienced high quality participation. Supporting the adaptive snowsports programs while reducing the barriers faced by people with disabilities should be a continued effort to promote quality of participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Labbé
- Disability and Human Development Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - G Tao
- Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Department, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Rehabilitation Research Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - E T Maas
- Methodology and Applied Biostatistics, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - K Best
- Rehabilitation, Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et en intégration sociale (CIRRIS), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - A Bundon
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia. (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - J Sauvé
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia. (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada; British Columbia Adaptive Snowsports, Vancouver, BC., Canada
| | - W C Miller
- Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Department, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Rehabilitation Research Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Mesa A, Grasdal M, Leong S, Dean NA, Marwaha A, Lee A, Berger MJ, Bundon A, Krassioukov AV. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with spinal cord injury: Mental health and use of telehealth. PM R 2022; 14:1439-1445. [PMID: 36117384 DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Limited access to health care services and the self-isolation measures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have had additional unintended negative effects, affecting the health of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVES To examine the perceived influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with SCI. First, this study looked to understand how the pandemic affected the use and perception of telehealth services for these individuals. Second, it investigated the effect of COVID-19 on mental health. DESIGN Cross-sectional online survey. SETTING Individuals with SCI living in the community in British Columbia, Canada. PATIENTS This survey was offered to individuals with SCI and had 71 respondents, with 34% living in a rural setting and 66% in an urban setting. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Telehealth utility, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S), and Perceived Vulnerability to Disease (PVD). RESULTS Telehealth use in the SCI population has increased from 9.9% to 25.4% over the pandemic, with rates of telehealth use in urban centers nearing those of rural participants. Thirty-one percent of respondents had probable depression and 7.0% had probable generalized anxiety disorder as measured by a score of ≥10 on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively. The mean scores on FCV-19S and PVD were 17.0 (6.6 SD) and 4.29 (1.02 SD), respectively. CONCLUSION Telehealth use during COVID-19 has more than doubled. It is generally well regarded by respondents, although only a fourth of the SCI population has reported its use. With this in mind, it is important to understand the barriers to further adoption. In addition, higher rates of probable depression were seen than those estimated by pre-pandemic studies in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Mesa
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mark Grasdal
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah Leong
- Neuromotion Physiotherapy + Rehabilitation, Kitsilano Physiotherapy Clinic, Treloar Physiotherapy Clinic, , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nikolaus A Dean
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arshdeep Marwaha
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amanda Lee
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael J Berger
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrea Bundon
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Bundon A, Trainor LR, Bennett EV, Tremblay MI, Mannella S, Crocker PRE. From minding the gap to widening the gap: Paralympic athletes' experiences of wellbeing during the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 games. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:921625. [PMID: 36091870 PMCID: PMC9459162 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.921625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In March 2020, it was announced that the Tokyo Games would be postponed for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While athletes commonly face challenges in sport such as injuries, the pandemic and rescheduling of the Games was an unexpected event that had serious potential to challenge the psychological wellbeing of athletes. Furthermore, it was an event that was simultaneously experienced by all athletes preparing for the Games. It provided a novel opportunity to explore how athletes navigated this challenging environment and the subsequent potential impact on their psychological wellbeing. It also provided a unique opportunity to engage para-athletes and explore how they experienced the pandemic and postponement. This manuscript draws on a larger qualitative study of 21 Canadian athletes (14 Olympic and seven Paralympic) who were on target to compete at the 2020 Games when the postponement was announced. For this manuscript, we focus on the accounts of seven Paralympic hopefuls and their experiences of adjusting to the postponement, while attending to the unique social identities of athletes with disabilities. Adopting a constructionist lens, semi-structured interviews were conducted at two time points. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we developed three themes. “We are all in the same boat. . . or are we?” describes the Paralympic hopefuls experiences early in the pandemic and how they felt united by the Canadian response to withdraw from the Games. It then discusses how, over time, they started to understand athletes with disabilities were being inequitably impacted by the pandemic and related public health measures. “Maybe it means more to them than us” examines how their perceptions changed as they acknowledged that although all athletes were facing a disruption to their sport careers, the implications were not the same for all. “Vulnerability and the Paralympic athlete” addresses how Paralympic athletes engaged with societal narratives about risk, vulnerability and disability and what this meant for the Paralympic Movement's response to the pandemic. “Honestly, I've experienced it before” examines how the Paralympic hopefuls drew on past experiences of injury to navigate the pandemic and the protective impact on their psychological wellbeing. Findings shed light on how systemic ableism interacted with the pandemic to magnify feelings of inferiority and further marginalization but also how para-athletes drew on past experiences to navigate challenges to their psychological wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bundon
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Andrea Bundon
| | - Lisa R. Trainor
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Erica V. Bennett
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Myriam I. Tremblay
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Staci Mannella
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology, and Counseling, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, United States
| | - Peter R. E. Crocker
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Stone B, Mason BS, Bundon A, Goosey-Tolfrey VL. Elite handcycling: a qualitative analysis of recumbent handbike configuration for optimal sports performance. Ergonomics 2019; 62:449-458. [PMID: 30281401 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2018.1531149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of handbike configuration is limited, yet it can be a key determinant of performance in handcycling. This study explored how 14 handcycling experts (elite handcyclists, coaches, support staff, and manufacturers) perceived aspects of recumbent handbike configuration to impact upon endurance performance via semi-structured interviews. Optimising the handbike for comfort, stability, and power production was identified as key themes. Comfort and stability were identified to be the foundations of endurance performance and were primarily influenced by the seat, backrest, headrest, and their associated padding. Power production was determined by the relationship between the athletes' shoulder and abdomen and the trajectories of the handgrips, which were determined by the crank axis position, crank arm length, and handgrip width. Future studies should focus on quantifying the configuration of recumbent handbikes before determining the effects that crank arm length, handgrip width, and crank position have on endurance performance. Practitioner Summary: To gain a greater understanding of the impact of handbike configurations on endurance performance, the perceptions of expert handcyclists were explored qualitatively. Optimising the handbike for comfort and stability, primarily via backrest padding and power production, the position of the shoulders relative to handgrips and crank axis, were critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Stone
- a Peter Harrison Centre of Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Loughborough , United Kingdom
| | - Barry S Mason
- a Peter Harrison Centre of Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Loughborough , United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Bundon
- b School of Kinesiology , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Victoria L Goosey-Tolfrey
- a Peter Harrison Centre of Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Loughborough , United Kingdom
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Clarke LH, Bundon A. From ‘The Thing to Do’ to ‘Defying the Ravages of Age’: Older Women Reflect on the Use of Lipstick. J Women Aging 2009; 21:198-212. [DOI: 10.1080/08952840903054757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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