Efecto del deporte en el bienestar psicológico de las personas con gran discapacidad física de origen neurológico

Introduction: Severe physical disability having a neurological origin causes significant functional limitation and psychological effects. This is manifested in less personal well-being. Rehabilitative physical activity and practicing sports form a part of the rehabilitation process. However, their effect on well-being has not been positively valued. Objective: This study has focused on the analysis of the relationship between psychological well-being and the type of sport practiced in persons having neurological-based physical disabilities. Subjects and methods: Psychological well-being of 160 disabled persons was assessed using the Psychological Well-Being Index (PWBI). They were categorized into four groups in relation to the practice of physical activity: rehabilitation, sports recreation, sports competition and sedentary activities. Results: The results show that participants in the sedentary group had significantly lower psychological well-being for all the PWBI dimensions than the other groups, except for the welfare dimension. On the other hand, the participants in competitive sports had higher values in self-control and general health dimensions. Conclusions: The practice of sports, especially competitive ones, has an impact on greater psychological well-being in people with severe disabilities. © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. and SERMEF.