JMERC
Owner
Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center (JMERC) is the owner of IJWPH.
0.5
Cite Score
SJR: 0.129 / SNIP: 0.140
Volume 17, Issue 3 (2025)
Iran J War Public Health 2025, 17(3): 269-278 |
Back to browse issues page
Article Type:
Subject:
History
Received: 2025/06/15 | Accepted: 2025/07/29 | Published: 2025/08/10
Received: 2025/06/15 | Accepted: 2025/07/29 | Published: 2025/08/10
How to cite this article
Naghizadeh Baghi A, Zare Abandansari M, Pourzabih Sarhamami K, Nobakht F. Foresight in Disability Sport and Strategies for Inclusive Health Policies. Iran J War Public Health 2025; 17 (3) :269-278
URL: http://ijwph.ir/article-1-1653-en.html
URL: http://ijwph.ir/article-1-1653-en.html
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Rights and permissions
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
1- Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2- Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
2- Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
Abstract (777 Views)
Aims: Sport and physical activity are essential for maintaining physical health, improving mental well-being, and fostering social participation among persons with disabilities. In Iran, despite growing policy attention, challenges, such as limited infrastructure, a lack of adaptive equipment, weak coordination among institutions, and unstable funding restrict equitable access to sport. These constraints reduce opportunities for physical activity and increase the risk of non-communicable diseases and social isolation. This study aimed to identify strategic drivers shaping the future of disability sport in Iran by 2034.
Instrument & Methods: This foresight study used a three-round Delphi process and was conducted on 14 national experts in disability sport. The analysis utilized MICMAC software for cross-impact evaluation and the Scenario Wizard for scenario development. Identified drivers were classified under six domains, including political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL), and prioritized based on expert consensus.
Findings: A total of 21 key drivers were identified, with four emerging as critical, including integrating disability sport into national policy, providing financial incentives for disability-focused clubs, ensuring currency stability for importing equipment, and offering specialized insurance for athletes with disabilities. Scenario analysis produced eight plausible futures, ranging from “peak prosperity,” characterized by full institutional support and health-oriented infrastructure, to “systemic decline,” marked by fragmented services and limited access.
Conclusion: Positioning disability sport as a public health priority in Iran requires strong political commitment, stable financing, access to adaptive technologies, and inclusive environmental design.
Instrument & Methods: This foresight study used a three-round Delphi process and was conducted on 14 national experts in disability sport. The analysis utilized MICMAC software for cross-impact evaluation and the Scenario Wizard for scenario development. Identified drivers were classified under six domains, including political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL), and prioritized based on expert consensus.
Findings: A total of 21 key drivers were identified, with four emerging as critical, including integrating disability sport into national policy, providing financial incentives for disability-focused clubs, ensuring currency stability for importing equipment, and offering specialized insurance for athletes with disabilities. Scenario analysis produced eight plausible futures, ranging from “peak prosperity,” characterized by full institutional support and health-oriented infrastructure, to “systemic decline,” marked by fragmented services and limited access.
Conclusion: Positioning disability sport as a public health priority in Iran requires strong political commitment, stable financing, access to adaptive technologies, and inclusive environmental design.
Keywords:
References
1. Kurniawan A, Rizky Samudro B. Optimizing social and economic inclusion through adaptive sports programs for persons with disabilities: A pathway to achieving SDGs. Int J Curr Sci Res Rev. 2024;7(5):3066-72. [Link] [DOI:10.47191/ijcsrr/V7-i5-67]
2. Jaarsma EA, Dijkstra PU, Geertzen JHB, Dekker R. Barriers to and facilitators of sports participation for people with physical disabilities: A systematic review. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014;24(6):871-81. [Link] [DOI:10.1111/sms.12218]
3. Yazicioglu K, Yavuz F, Goktepe AS, Tan AK. Influence of adapted sports on quality of life and life satisfaction in sport participants and non-sport participants with physical disabilities. Disabil Health J. 2012;5(4):249-53. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.dhjo.2012.05.003]
4. Tweedy SM, Vanlandewijck YC. International paralympic committee position stand background and scientific principles of classification in paralympic sport. Br J Sports Med. 2011;45(4):259-69. [Link] [DOI:10.1136/bjsm.2009.065060]
5. Martin JJ. Benefits and barriers to physical activity for individuals with disabilities: A social-relational model of disability perspective. Disabil Rehabil. 2013;35(24):2030-7. [Link] [DOI:10.3109/09638288.2013.802377]
6. Rimmer JH, Rowland JL, Yamaki K. Obesity and secondary conditions in adolescents with disabilities: Addressing the needs of an underserved population. J Adolesc Health. 2007;41(3):224-9. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.05.005]
7. DePauw KP, Gavron SJ. Disability sport. 2nd ed. Champaign: Human Kinetics; 2005. [Link] [DOI:10.5040/9781492596226]
8. Parnes P, Cameron D, Christie N, Cockburn L, Hashemi G, Yoshida K. Disability in low-income countries: Issues and implications. Disabil Rehabil. 2009;31(14):1170-80. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/09638280902773778]
9. Darcy S, Dowse L. In search of a level playing field: The constraints and benefits of sport participation for people with intellectual disability. Disabil Soc. 2013;28(3):393-407. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/09687599.2012.714258]
10. Legg D, Gilbert K. Paralympic legacies. Champaign: Common Ground Publishing; 2011. [Link] [DOI:10.18848/978-1-86335-897-2/CGP]
11. Thomas N, Smith A. Disability, sport and society: An introduction. London: Routledge; 2008. [Link] [DOI:10.4324/9780203099360]
12. Brittain I. The paralympic games explained. London: Routledge; 2010. [Link] [DOI:10.4324/9780203885567]
13. Howe PD, Silva CF. The fiddle of using the paralympic games as a vehicle for expanding [dis]ability sport participation. Sport Soc. 2018;21(1):125-36. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/17430437.2016.1225885]
14. Misener L, Darcy S, Legg D, Gilbert K. Beyond olympic legacy: Understanding paralympic legacy through a thematic analysis. J Sport Manag. 2013;27(4):329-41. [Link] [DOI:10.1123/jsm.27.4.329]
15. Steadward RD, Peterson C. Paralympics: Where heroes come. Paralympian. 1997;1(1):6-9. [Link]
16. Blanco-Ayala A, Galvaan R, Fernández-Gavira J. Physical activity and sport in acculturation processes in immigrant women: A systematic review. Societies. 2025;15(5):1-23. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/soc15050117]
17. Edwards S. Accessibility of resource-constrained urban communities for female wheelchair users in the South African context [dissertation]. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand; 2022. [Link]
18. Weston MA. The international right to sport for people with disabilities. Marquette Sports Law Rev. 2017;28:1. [Link]
19. Isidoro-Cabanas E, Soto-Rodriguez FJ, Morales-Rodriguez FM, Perez-Marmol JM. Benefits of adaptive sport on physical and mental quality of life in people with physical disabilities: a meta-analysis. InHealthcare. 2023; 11(18): 2480. [Link] [DOI:10.3390/healthcare11182480]
20. Blauwet C, Willick SE. The paralympic movement: Using sports to promote health, disability rights, and social integration for athletes with disabilities. PM R. 2012;4(11):851-6. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.08.015]
21. Van De Vliet P. Paralympic athlete health. Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(7):458-9. [Link] [DOI:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091192]
22. Brittain I, Beacom A. Leveraging the London 2012 Paralympic Games: What legacy for disabled people?. Journal of sport and social issues. 2016;40(6):499-521. [Link] [DOI:10.1177/0193723516655580]
23. Pitts BG, Shapiro DR. People with disabilities and sport: An exploration of the current literature. J Hosp Leis Sport Tour Educ. 2017;21:33-45. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.jhlste.2017.06.003]
24. Shapiro DR, Pitts BG. What little do we know: Content analysis of disability sport in sport management literature. J Sport Manag. 2014;28(6):657-71. [Link] [DOI:10.1123/JSM.2013-0258]
25. Aitchison CC. Marking difference or making a difference: Constructing places, policies and knowledge of inclusion, exclusion and social justice in leisure, sport and tourism. InThe Critical Turn in Tourism Studies. Routledge. 2007: 77-90. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/B978-0-08-045098-8.50010-6]
26. Legg D, Steadward RD. The paralympic games and 60 years of change (1948-2008): Unification and restructuring from a disability and medical model to sport-based competition. Sport Soc. 2011;14(9):1099-115. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/17430437.2011.614767]
27. Hasson F, Keeney S, McKenna H. Research guidelines for the Delphi survey technique. J Adv Nurs. 2000;32(4):1008-15. [Link] [DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2648.2000.t01-1-01567.x]
28. Ginis KA, van der Ploeg HP, Foster C, Lai B, McBride CB, Ng K, et al. Participation of people living with disabilities in physical activity: a global perspective. Lancet. 2021;398(10298):443-55. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01164-8]
29. Misener L, Darcy S. Managing disability sport: From athletes with disabilities to inclusive organisational perspectives. Sport Manag Rev. 2014;17(1):1-7. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.smr.2013.12.003]
30. Shen Y, Zhang X, Zhao J. Understanding the usage of dockless bike sharing in Singapore. Int J Sustain Transport. 2018;12(9):686-700. [Link] [DOI:10.1080/15568318.2018.1429696]
31. Heylighen A, Van der Linden V, Van Steenwinkel I. Ten questions concerning inclusive design of the built environment. Build Environ. 2017;114:507-17. [Link] [DOI:10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.12.008]