Why We Did It: A Qualitative Analysis of Select Adaptive Gymnastics and Dance Programs

Brianna Varner, Matthew Lowery and Martin E. Block ()
Additional contact information
Brianna Varner: Department of Kinesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
Matthew Lowery: Department of Kinesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
Martin E. Block: Department of Kinesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: For children with disabilities, participation in group physical activities can promote inclusion and a sense of belonging, enhance physical functioning, and improve mental health. Yet, there are very few youth sports programs that offer adaptive programs for children with disabilities. Why do some youth sports programs offer these special programs? The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences and challenges of select youth gymnastics and dance programs in the eastern part of the U.S. that offer adaptive programs for children with disabilities. Nine program directors individually participated in zoom interviews between 45 and 60 min. Results revealed the background of program directors (limited disability experience), why they started their programs (parent requests/personal experiences), challenges faced when creating and sustaining their program (recruitment of participants), advertising the program and recruiting participants (mostly word of mouth), and recruiting and training coaches (within the gym).

Keywords: disability; children; sports clubs; gymnastics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/5/1/20/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/5/1/20/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:5:y:2025:i:1:p:20-:d:1591960

Access Statistics for this article

Disabilities is currently edited by Ms. Cici Zhou

More articles in Disabilities from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().