Ali Zarei and Abdollah Ghasemi
The present aims at comparing body image in male disabled athletes with both disabled and non-disabled nonathletes. The study adopts a comparative, cross-sectional method. Three groups of participants, each with 50 members, were selected from among the population of disabled athletes, disabled non-athletes and non-disabled non-athletes using cluster random sampling. The subjects were selected from sports places for athletes with disabilities, Kahrizak Disabled Rest Home, and public offices, respectively, and their body images were compared. The instruments used to collect the data included a demographic data sheet and the Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) that contains 11 subscales. One-way ANOVA and Newman-Keuls post-hoc test were run to analyze the data. Disabled athletes significantly outperformed both disabled and non-disabled non-athletes in body image across the subscales of strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility, self-esteem, physical activity, sport competence, and general physical self-concept (P<0.001). Besides, disabled athletes significantly outperformed disabled non-athletes in the subscales of appearance (P<0.002), health (P<0.001), and body fat (P<0.12); however, they showed no significant difference with non-disabled non-athletes in these subscales. Due to regular physical activity, disabled athletes had better a body image comparing with both disabled and non-disabled non-athletes. Therefore, it is recommended that facilities be provided for the disabled to participate in sports activities.
