THE MEANING OF SPORT PRACTICE TO BASKETBALL ATHLETES IN WHEELCHAIRS: A SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION PROCESS?

Abstract

This study had as main goal to analyze sport practice as social integration and quality of life with wheelchair basketball players. The population was constituted by 25 athletes from three sports teams from Parana state. Instruments used were: Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL Bref), Social Skills Inventory and the Group Environment questionnaire. Results indicate that athletes possess a good quality of life and a good repertory of social skills, however a specific attention is required to situations of exposition to different experiences and selfcontrol of aggressiveness. As for group cohesion a task aspect was highlighted in relation to social dimension. Also, quality of life was positively predicted by social variables, especially those connected to task cohesion. Therefore it is concluded that sport seems to contribute to development of social skills, has a positive impact on perception of quality of life.