Comparing Developmental Trajectories of Elite Able-Bodied and Wheelchair Basketball Players

in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

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Nima Dehghansai York University

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Daniel Spedale York University

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Melissa J. Wilson Paralympics New Zealand

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Joseph Baker York University

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2019-0104
Keywords:
athlete development; developmental models; Paralympics; Para sport; talent development; wheelchair sport
First Published Online:
19 Jun 2020
In Print:
Volume 37: Issue 3
Page Range:
338–348
Restricted access

Little is known about the factors influencing Paralympic athletes’ journey to expertise and whether these athletes have trajectories similar to those of their able-bodied (AB) peers. The purpose of this project was to compare the developmental trajectories of wheelchair and AB basketball players. A total of 150 participants completed the Developmental History of Athletes Questionnaire. Results revealed that while AB athletes reached early career milestones at a significantly younger age, athletes with congenital impairments reached midcareer milestones at similar ages to AB athletes. In addition, athletes with acquired impairments were able to reach key late-career performance milestones (i.e., national and international debuts) at a similar age to the other two groups. The findings from this study suggest complex developmental pathways that may not be reflected in current developmental models. Therefore, the authors suggest that scientists and practitioners be cognizant of context-specific needs when providing training recommendations.

Dehghansai, Spedale, and Baker are with York University, North York, ON, Canada. Wilson is with Paralympics New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand.

Dehghansai (nimadehghan@gmail.com) is corresponding author.
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