“Moving Freely in Space with Power and Not Be Afraid”: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Elite Rowers with Visual Impairment

Jason Rich (), Lauren J. Lieberman, Pamela Beach and Melanie Perreault
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Jason Rich: Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
Lauren J. Lieberman: Kinesiology, Sport Studies, & Physical Education, SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY 14420, USA
Pamela Beach: Kinesiology, Sport Studies, & Physical Education, SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY 14420, USA
Melanie Perreault: Kinesiology, Sport Studies, & Physical Education, SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY 14420, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-16

Abstract: Due to the accessibility of the sport of rowing for individuals with visual impairment (VI), rowers with VI are a unique population because they have the potential to be just as competitive outside of Para-rowing as sighted rowers. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of elite rowers with VI in relation to the benefits and challenges of those experiences as well as their peer and coach relationships. Adopting an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach to guide data collection, analysis, and interpretation, eight participants with VI who rowed on the national level or higher were recruited and interviewed. The analysis identified four major themes: Empowerment Through Rowing, Rowing Through Feel, Changing Perceptions, and Forming Influential Relationships. The identified themes illustrate the influence of rowing upon the participants’ lives, careers, and successes, as well as the disability awareness of the coaches and peers influencing their experiences.

Keywords: accessibility; Paralympics; stigma (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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