Abstract
There is limited research regarding physical activity profiles of female athletes with motor impairments. This lack leads to a difficulty for sport professionals to organize exercise programs, which could meet the needs of the particular population. The purpose of the present study was to outline the motives and constraints relevant to sports participation of women with motor impairments in Greece. Twenty women with physical disabilities, 15-55 years old, participated in the study. They were asked to answer a questionnaire consisting of three parts: a) demographic characteristics, b) motives relevant to sports participation and c) constraints that prevent sports participation. According to the answers in the first three parts of the questionnaire the participating group was rather heterogeneous and it was not possible for a single profile to be formed. All participants were involved in organized training programs in pre-competition, competition and post-competition period, however, their participation period ranged from one to nine years. They practiced rather frequently, two to four times per week. The most important motive for participation was "the improvement of their physical fitness" followed by leisure, socialization, physical appearance and rehabilitation. "Control of their body weight" was the least important motive despite the fact that many of them were over their natural weight. Respectively, the most important constraint regarding their participation in exercise programs was "unsuitable hours of training" followed by "lack of free time", transportation, accessibility and unsuitable sports facilities. The majority of the above opinions are in accordance with those of other relative studies. However, some of the answers revealed the need of guidance and education regarding physical activity and healthy lifestyle. The above conclusion is very important to sport professionals who organize and implement exercise programs to meet the needs of this particular population. However, factors such as limited numbers and heterogeneity of the sample as well as lack of adapted leisure programs in Greece, lead to the need for more research regarding the above matter.
