Volition profile of people with physical disability

Abstract

Introduction:Volition is a determinant psychological factor in the improvement of the performance of the human behavior. The aim of the study was to analyze the volitional qualities; persistence, purposefulness and expediency based on personal characteristics and disability-related characteristics. Material and methods: The participants in this study were 140 people with physical disabilities (n=107 men, and n=33 women) while 10 people did not state their gender. Their age ranging from 14 to 67 years. The participants filled the questionnaire Measure Athletes’ Volition-Short(MAV-S). In addition following factors were put into analysis: gender, age, family status, education, occupational status, disability [congenital versus acquired], type of disability [spinal cord injury, brain palsy, amputation, poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy and other type], form of exercise [sport activities – competitive versus recreational – and any activity], type of sport [team versus individual sports], type of experience [resistance, strength and skills], and form of games [Paralympic, European, National and Sectional]). Results: show that the people with physical disabilities who mainly take part in, physical activities manifest a high level volitional qualities (persistence, purposefulness, and expediency). Conclusions: Personal characteristics like form of exercise, type of sport (team, individual) and athletic experience play a moderating role in the existence of individual differences in volitional qualities.

Keywords

• persistence
• purposefulness
• expedience
• physical disability
• personal and disability characteristics