This paper focuses on the barriers that athletes with intellectual disabilities have to face in the leisure tennis program Más Que Tenis. In most leisure sports programs several factors have been identified as barriers. It is the case of variables such as: money, transport, facilities, time, program activities and services or self-esteem. The aim of this study is to explore the barriers that exist in the Más Que Tenis program for the athletes with intellectual disability and how the community involved in this program manage it. Through a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 athletes with intellectual disability, 19 parents and 19 workers from 10 entities across 8 spanish communities. Three interview protocols were established and structured into themes including general topics (years of experience, days of practice, motivation, etc), social, physical and psychological well-being, barriers-facilitators and needs. Thematic analysis of the interviews was carried out with the support of MAXQDA 2022 software. Analysis showed that most relevant findings about barriers are classified in two principal categories: personal and social barriers (social demands and cognitive demands of activity) and logistics aspects (weather conditions, facilities, days for practice). Data also shows a strong community that supports the athletes with different facilitators like transport, money, specialised staff, sponsors, nearby facilities, among others. The main conclusion of this study is that a solid support network (sponsors, families, occupational centres or specialised associations) helps to avoid common barriers. This situation promotes better conditions for sports practice in athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Authors:
Apolinar Varela, University of Navarra, Spain
Raúl Fraguela-Vale, University of A Coruña, Spain
Araceli Arellano, University of Navarra, Spain
Leyre Gambra, University of Navarra, Spain
Nerea Crespo-Eguilaz, Clinic University of Navarra, Spain
Celeste Luz Reyes, University of Navarra, Spain

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Apolinar Varela is currently a lecturer of Physical Education at Education and Psychology Education college, University of Navarra (Spain). Previously, was a assistant researcher for the Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra.

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