Understanding quality participation: exploring ideal physical activity outcomes for military veterans with a physical disability

ABSTRACT

Individuals with disabilities do not experience full participation in society. Research suggests that a focus on quantity as opposed to quality of participation may be responsible for this disparity. The Quality Parasport Participation Framework was developed to fill this gap by highlighting the PA program conditions and elements indicative of quality experiences. The aim of the current study was to fill remaining knowledge gaps by (a) exploring what outcomes military veterans with physical disabilities link to quality PA experiences, and (b) determining what contexts may foster these outcomes. Military veterans with physical disabilities (n = 18) took part in semi-structured interviews. Data analyses consisted of two phases. In phase one, an inductive thematic analysis was conducted to generate PA outcomes linked to quality experiences. In phase two, an inductive thematic analysis identified contexts that may foster quality outcomes, while a deductive thematic analysis determined potential linkages to the Quality Parasport Participation Framework. Three overarching outcomes were linked to quality experiences: PA promotes psychological benefits, the importance of social and societal growth, and opportunities for advancement. These findings advance knowledge by identifying the subjective perspectives of veterans with physical disabilities regarding specific outcomes indicative of quality experiences, as well as how these outcomes may be fostered within quality PA programs. Knowledge of which outcomes are indicative of quality PA experience is necessary to promote full PA participation. Results provide a foundation for research exploring how to optimally deliver and evaluate adapted PA programming.

KEYWORDS:

• Injury
• impairment
• military
• participation
• physical activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Scholarship (CHS), and a Wounded Warriors Canada and Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research Doctoral Scholarship (CHS). This research is also part of the Canadian Disability Participation Project (www.cdpp.ca). Research from the Canadian Disability Participation Project is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Grant # 895-2013-1021).

Notes on contributors

Celina H. Shirazipour

Dr. Celina H. Shirazipour is a Research Scientist in the Research Center for Health Equity at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her research aims to understand and promote long-term physical activity participation among underserved populations.

Amy E. Latimer-Cheung

Dr. Amy E. Latimer-Cheung is an Associate Professor and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity Promotion and Disability at Queen’s University. Her research aims to understand and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in the general population and among people with chronic disease and disability.