Competition sports for the disabled: Study of 210 disabled athletes in Lebanon

Summary Introduction. The purpose of this study was to identify disabled persons in Lebanon who participate in competition sports and investigate the context of their sports activities. Patients and methods. This was descriptive study of Lebanese disabled competition sports. Participants completed a 39-item questionnaire to collect data on demographics, disabilities, pre- paration for competition and sports activities. Data were processed with SPSSv13.0. Results. There were 210 responses: mean age 17 years, age range 12-51 years, predominantly male (74%). Educational level was 63% with official education, 8.6% analphabet. The handicap was motor for 29.5%, sensorial for 40% and mental for 30.5%; 61% had an inborn disability. None of the participants were currently receiving care at a rehabilitation center. The sports activities were nine olympic disciplines, mainly basketball, football and gymnas- tics. Eighty per cent of the participants were members of a disabled athletes club. For most (55.5%), the medical evaluation was per- formed by a generalist, none had seen a physical medicine specia- list; 52% had a medical certificate of aptitude. The competitions were classed as 82% upright sports and 19% wheelchair sports, always in the presence of a physical education director. Sports accidents within the last six months were frequent (29% of parti- cipants). Other data collected concerned doping information (28%) and international level sports (27.3%). Conclusion. Most of the participants in the disabled competition sports were enrolled in schools. Adults participate less in compe- tition sports. The conditions of sports practice are unsatisfactory for the disabled. Medical evaluation is insufficient or lacking. A multidisciplinary management is needed as well as an applica- Resume´