1.6 METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE STUDY

2.1 Introduction

The perception of ‘Sport’ and what it constitutes has been continually debated for decades with many definitions and concepts emerging over the years. The Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter defines sports as “all forms of physical activity, which, through casual or organized participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels”. TheIrish Department of Education’s Sport Strategic Plan clarifiesthe interpretation under three broad categories;

 Recreational Sport; An overriding emphasis on the social and health aspects of the sport, with fun and friendship being ‘key components’.  Performance Sport; More structured programs that incorporate some form of competition. Usually organized around school or club structures, with ongoing coaching and involvement in competition from local to national level. Participants at this level are normally required to meet minimal standards of performance and are subject to the rules of the competition.  High-Performance Sport; Elite level sport that is highly structured with performance measured against national and international standards. This level of participation requires both internal and external qualities, which are the ability to excel at a personal level as well as on an objective level. The athlete shows a desire for achievement, to prove themselves, reach their limits but also maintain highperformance standards.

While historically limitations and exclusions were imposed on the participation of men and women with a disability in sport, namely due to the myth that sport, being representative of physical prowess, could not include those who had a physical impairment. The trend today is one of more progressive inclusion and acceptance, with opportunities for sports participation available within each of the broad categories of sport identified above. 1

2.2 Physical Activity and its Benefits

Physical Activity (PA) is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure. Activities undertaken while working, playing, traveling, carrying out housework, and engaging in recreational pursuits are, therefore, included. The WHO recommends that adults do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity

1 Physiopedia (n.d.) Sports for Individuals with a Physical Disability [WWW] Available from: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Sports_for_Individuals_with_a_Physical_Disability#cite_note-1 [Accessed 02/04/2022]