Journal article
Industry perspectives on the implementation of social support for young adults with disability in community gyms: a qualitative study
G McKenzie, RA Kennedy, C Willis, N Shields
Disability and Rehabilitation | TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD | Published : 2025
Abstract
Purpose: Social support is a known facilitator of exercise for people with disability. A qualitative approach was used to understand current social support practices in community gyms for young adults with disability. Methods: Embedded within a larger project “Getting Young adult Moving–Supporting Participation and Access to Recreation Centres” (GYM-SPARC), semi-structured interviews were completed with 25 gym staff, representing 29 community gym facilities across Victoria, Australia. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Social support types and availability varied across community gyms. Social support practices included orientation, supervision, specialist input, l..
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Grants
Awarded by Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration
Funding Acknowledgements
This study is contributed to Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) Impact Research grant project, GYM-SPARC - Getting Young adults Moving by Supporting Participation and Access in Recreation Centres. The project was completed in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria, VICSPORT, Disability Sport and Recreation, Down Syndrome Victoria, Cerebral Palsy Support Network, YMCA Victoria, Belgravia Leisure, City of Boroondara, City of Monash and CP-Achieve Centre of Research Excellence. We would like to thank the consumer representatives and the disability advisory committee for sharing their lived experiences and contributing to the design and implementation of GYM-SPARC. We would like to thank Mick Leahy of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre for design assistance for the included figures. This work was completed in partial satisfaction of a PhD for GM, funded by the Australian Government under the Commonwealth Research Training Program.