女性車いすバスケットボール選手の生活観の国際比較

抄録

The present study was conducted to clarify the actual conditions of daily life and sport activity for female wheelchair basketball athletes with physical disability, and to analyze the similarities and differences between Japan and other countries. A survey was conducted during the International Wheelchair Basketball Friendship Games Osaka Cup, which was held on February 19-21, 2009, and attended by Japan, Australia, Canada and the USA. A questionnaire based on the previous studies of Warkings (2004) and Woodson (2008) was distributed to a total of 43 athletes, and the main results were as follows:
Similarities: 1) Motivation or will to win was very strong among athletes who were facing fierce competition. 2) For this reason, the athletes hoped for the more professional support to help them improve and develop their skills and techniques for wheelchair basketball. 3) The athletes expressed concern about the expenditure, as well as the time required, for training and competition, and therefore hoped for some form of financial assistance. 4) The athletes hoped for more facilities that were gender-friendly, as well as barrier-free. 5) The athletes were aware of a feeling of unity or bonding with team-mates through their practice, as well as in games. There was a common feeling that among athletes, there is no distinction as to whether or not people have physical disability, or the country they are living in.
Differences: 1) Japanese athletes wanted more information via various media, whereas athletes from other countries wanted extensive access to the Internet. 2) Japanese athletes expressed a wish for better job opportunities or work conditions, whereas foreign athletes hoped to raise public awareness of the need for financial support. 3) Japanese athletes considered that more media exposure would increase public understanding about the disabled, whereas athletes from other countries hoped for improvements in public education about disability.