Playing and watching sports boosts mental health in disabled people, poll shows

NEARLY nine in 10 disabled adults claim sport stopped them from being lonely — boosting their mental health, levels of confidence, and number of friends.

A poll of 1,000 disabled adults who regularly take part in sport found 48 per cent believe physical activity has improved their mental wellbeing.

Almost half think it has given them more confidence and 41 per cent believe sport has increased their social circle.

The research was commissioned by MORE THAN insurance and charity Dogs for Good to highlight how dogs have made sport more accessible for disabled people.

Paul Woodward, from Greater Manchester, a wheelchair user, told how he benefited from the charity’s work having been matched with Nita, a two-year-old yellow Labrador.

He said: “Sport has always been a passion of mine, but when I stopped playing myself, I felt somewhat lost and depressed.

“From wheelchair basketball to cricket and table tennis, and now attending football matches too, having Nita in my life has helped me to rediscover my passion.

“It’s so important for sport to be inclusive and my advice to others is not to be afraid, because participating in sports can completely transform your life.”

The survey showed prior to their involvement in sport, 20 per cent said they’d felt marginalised.

Around 72 per cent previously shied away from sport — with 21 per cent doing so because they thought it wasn’t accessible to them.

But this changed when they discovered disability inclusive clubs in their local area — with 90 per cent of those polled revealing sports participation has changed their “lives for the better”.

In addition to participation, the study looked at attitudes towards live sports events among disabled adults – and found 78 per cent claim watching sports has changed their lives for the better.

It also emerged 54 per cent would be “a lot more likely” to attend events which actively promote inclusivity.

And according to 46 per cent this is because inclusive events demonstrate how sport can be accessible to everyone regardless of whether they’re disabled or not.

Almost four in 10 believe inclusive attitudes at sporting events help challenge societal stereotypes and biases.

The study also identified what would negatively impact the desire among those polled to either attend sporting events or participate in sport.

Lack of accessible facilities (45 per cent) came top, with lack of trained staff (25 per cent), and lack of information ahead of gatherings (34 per cent) also likely to be deterrents.

Ed Bracher, CEO, for the charity said: “Sport can be a great way for people to have that sense of community, building friendships and enjoying all the mental health benefits that come with it.

“We know that our dogs are also playing an important role in helping disabled people to access sport.

“They help increase confidence about attending sporting events as a fan, as well as increasing their feeling of independence and sense of empowerment that makes taking part in sport much more possible.”

Carried out through OnePoll, the research also looked at how dogs enable sport participation – especially among disabled people.

And 89 per cent of those polled who own a dog said their furry friend has given them the confidence to get involved in sport.

Louisa Leonard, managing director at MORE THAN, said: “The incredible benefits that dogs bring to our lives never ceases to amaze me.

“They not only provide unconditional love and companionship, but also play a crucial role in supporting disabled people, helping to make life possible for them.

“And now we know that they even help to enable participation in sport too – an important part of our culture that everyone should be able to get involved in.”