Quality of Life and Psychosocial Impact of Sport on People with Intellectual Disabilities: The Value of First-Person Discourse

Background: The concept of quality of life (QoL) has become a fundamental focus of research involving people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Numerous studies have explored this concept. Furthermore, incorporating the first-person perspectives of people with disabilities has become essential in contemporary research. However, no studies have rigorously examined how sport participation among people with IDs is reflected across the QoL dimensions proposed by Schalock and Verdugo. The published literature on these aspects also suggests other emerging topics analyzed. Methods: A thematic synthesis was applied, structured around a directed qualitative content analysis of direct quotes from people with intellectual disabilities published in scientific articles, modified according to the dimensions of Quality of Life and identifying emerging categories. Subsequently, the codes were grouped into descriptive themes that were reinterpreted to generate higher-order analytical themes. A total of 390 direct quotes were analyzed from 24 selected articles. Results: The published accounts of the participants associated sports participation with several aspects of Quality of Life that engaging in sports provides them. The opinions of the individuals themselves refer to all areas of quality of life. Statements were also found referring to aspects such as having an occupation or a routine, other experiences (beyond strictly sporting ones), transition to adulthood, and negative statements and barriers. Conclusions: The testimonies of people with intellectual disabilities show that sport transcends the physical domain, impacting various dimensions of their quality of life. They report that sports practice depends on opportunities, support, and environmental barriers.