Perception of Barriers to Sports Practice in Persons with Disabilities in Chile: A Socio-Ecological Approach.

BACKGROUND

Participation in physical and sports activities is essential for the overall health of persons with disabilities (PWD). However, these individuals encounter multiple environmental and contextual barriers limiting sports engagement.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the perceived barriers to sports participation among PWD in Chile using a socio-ecological framework, evaluating differences by sex and sports practice status while adjusting for potential demographic confounders.

METHODS

A quantitative, cross-sectional design was conducted with a convenience sample of 245 PWD. Perceptions across four socio-ecological dimensions (intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and community) were measured using the short Spanish version of the Barriers to Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Mobility Impairments (BPAQ-MI). Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests were performed as primary bivariate analyses due to non-normal data distribution, followed by Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) models controlling for age and sex.

RESULTS

Bivariate analyses showed no significant differences by sex. When comparing sports participants versus non-participants, athletes perceived significantly lower barriers in the organizational (U=5357, p<0.001, r=0.286) and community (U=6216, p=0.020, r=0.172) dimensions. After adjusting for age and sex via ANCOVA, sports practice remained a significant independent predictor of lower organizational barriers (F=7.814, p=0.006, ηp2=0.032), and a significant interaction between sports practice and sex was identified in the community dimension (F=4.671, p=0.032, ηp2=0.019). Community-level barriers were rated highest across all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Sports participation is associated with a lower perception of organizational barriers, even when controlling for age. The prominent community-level obstacles underscore the need for targeted, context-specific public policies that enhance accessibility and inclusive infrastructure.