Attitudes Toward the Participation of Individuals With Disabilities in Physical Activity: A Review

Abstract

This review covers articles published during the recent two decades on attitudes toward the participation of individuals with disabilities in physical activity. Research literature has been retrieved and analyzed by content and quality, across research type categories (cross sectional vs. intervention) and members of the participation context (i.e., professionals, peers, and participants with disabilities). The underlying theories, instruments, methodological approaches, and outcome variables are discussed in each category. Contact theory has served as the most popular theoretical foundation, however, without significant effectiveness in most trials. Gender has almost unanimously been recognized as a significant factor in all participant categories. Females tend to express more positive attitudes toward inclusion than males do. Participation in Adapted Physical Activity (APA) courses and previous experience with individuals with disability tend to improve professionals' attitudes.