The impact on QoL of kitesurfing for disabled people: a mixed methods study

There is growing evidence to suggest the health benefits of participating in lifestyle sports for disabled people, including improving physical activity (PA) levels, psychological benefits and therapeutic interventions. Lifestyle sports are different from traditional sports in that they are not governed by rules and regulations and thus have the potential to include people traditionally associated with low sporting participation such as disabled people. Kitesurfing is a lifestyle sport that combines surfing, kite flying and wakeboarding. The unique characteristics of kitesurfing mean that it can be performed by people of any age, gender or physical fitness level. It is an exciting time for kitesurfing as it will become an Olympic sport in Paris 2024 and to date, no research has been conducted on the benefits, despite its popularity.

Rationale
My PhD proposes to adopt an interdisciplinary approach that simultaneously considers how the physical, psychological and sociological health outcomes found from kitesurfing interact to improve QoL for disabled people. The study will identify the benefits of kitesurfing across health disciplines and the challenges and barriers to participation, the benefits to family and caregivers, the outcomes in different settings, and the effectiveness of new therapeutic interventions.

The proposed mixed methods study will be interdisciplinary in method, supervision and objectives. The success of this project will be based upon how objective measurements of Quality of Life (QoL), such as physical fitness tests, interact with more subjective measures such as mental health and socialisation (objectives 1-3) to offer a more holistic indicator of the effect of kitesurfing on QoL.

Objectives and methods
Objective 1: An exploration of the impact of kitesurfing on physical health for disabled kitesurfers.
Method 1: A qualitative study using a small cohort of adaptive kitesurfers. Data will be collected in-person and through online interviews. Thematic analysis will be utilised to highlight key areas.

Objective 2: An evaluation of the effectiveness of kitesurfing therapy for adolescents with developmental disabilities.
Method 2: Working in collaboration with the University Cattolica, Milan, this will be a qualitative study exploring the effects of kitesurf therapy camps in Sardinia, Italy, using participants enrolled on their programmes. Data will be collected over 4 months via focus groups, pre and post-test, with thematic analysis then conducted.

Objective 3: To explore the physical, psychological and socialisation benefits of kitesurfing for disabled people.
Method 3: A small-scale intervention, recruiting participants through disability groups, sports and recreation groups, therapy services, special schools and sporting institutions. A mixed methods approach will be used, quantitatively examining physical health and psychological wellbeing, pre and post-test. Socialisation benefits will be qualitatively measured via focus groups.

Potential impact
My interdisciplinary and multiphase PhD will be a unique and novel project on kitesurfing for disabled people. I will conclude with a list of recommendations for kite schools and the government on the health benefits of kitesurfing and how to implement it most effectively. This can act as a catalyst to enhance the provision of adaptive equipment and promote government funding.

My PhD will benefit key stakeholders whilst having an international collaborative element that enables learning from other organisations and institutions. Evidence from my research can help improve local business and even develop an Olympic and Paralympic pathway to participation. I will be conducting overseas fieldwork in Sardinia, Italy (objective 2) and continuing to develop my skills throughout this research project with an overseas institutional visit to a mental health charity in Cape Town, South Africa, delivering research that benefits both parties.