1 in 3 people with disabilities never plays sport, study shows
One in three people with disabilities in Flanders did not participate in sports over the past year, nearly three times higher than the rate in the general population, according to a KU Leuven study commissioned by parasports organisation G-sport Vlaanderen.
“In the general population, 12 per cent of people did not engage in sports last year, compared to 31 per cent among parasport participants,, said lead researcher Debbie Van Biesen.
“Since the baseline measurement in 2018, we’ve seen an increase in parasport participation, but much work remains. Tailored approaches are crucial, as our research shows that the parasport participants are very diverse. Motivations and barriers vary widely across groups.”
Diverse participation
Nearly seven in 10 parasport participants in Flanders accessed a sports club, local sports event or nearby sports facility last year. More than half of regular participants (55.2 per cent) engage in sports through a club, while almost 45 per cent do so outside traditional club structures, either individually or with friends. Non-regular participants are more likely to lack ties to clubs or organised activities.
Swimming was the most popular activity, followed by walking, recreational cycling, fitness and body exercises. Football and basketball were the only team sports in the top activities among regular participants.
"Only by addressing these barriers can we ensure that everyone, including parasport participants, experiences the benefits of sports"
Frequent participants tend to prefer team sports, while occasional participants favour individual activities like swimming and cycling. Age also plays a role: younger parasport participants gravitate toward team and combat sports, while adults prefer body exercises, fitness, and walking.
“These findings clearly demonstrate the need to continue raising awareness and broadening the sports offer,” said Stef Dehantschutter, chair of G-sport Vlaanderen.
“This also requires collaboration with other policy areas that facilitate sports, such as mobility and well-being. Only by addressing these barriers can we ensure that everyone ... experiences the benefits of sports.”
#FlandersNewsService | Belgian Maxime Carabin at the Memorial Van Damme athletics event in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO JORGE LUIS ALVAREZ PUPO
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