Variability of physiological attributes among athletes with different disabilities

Abstract

Understanding physiological diversity among athletes with disabilities is vital for designing effective training methods and ensuring equitable participation in sports. The present study examined the differences in physiological attributes among athletes with varying types of disabilities. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 300 participants, consisting of 75 athletes each with visual impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI), intellectual disability (ID), and limb deficiency (LD). The research employed a static group comparison design to evaluate variations in physiological outcomes across the groups. To assess the distribution of the data, the Shapiro-Wilk test was applied, which indicated non-normality, thereby justifying the use of the Kruskal-Wallis test for statistical analysis. Results showed significant disparities in physiological measures among the four disability categories. Further pairwise comparisons using the Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc test confirmed specific group differences. These findings demonstrate that athletes with disabilities present distinct physiological patterns, underscoring the importance of customized training strategies and inclusive practices to enhance athletic performance.