Association between quality of life and team achievement among wheelchair basketball players - A survey study

Background: Wheelchair basketball, a popular sport that allows for the inclusion of different levels of disability, has been played since 1946. It became a Paralympics sport in 1988. The aim of the study was to examine the association between quality of life (QOL) and achievement among wheelchair basketball players on a national level. Methods: Seven German players and 11 Israeli players participated in the study. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaires were used to measure QOL, and a sociodemographic questionnaire was used for individual athletic lifestyles. Results: Due to low compliance by several countries, only Germany and Israel were surveyed. There was no significant difference in the QOL scores between Israeli and German players. Israeli players were, on average, older than German players and had higher incomes. German players dedicated more time to the sport than Israeli players. Conclusions: QOL and team achievement were influenced by hours of practice and younger age, which were related to physical ability requirements for athletic performance. QOL was not contingent on income level or achievement.