Presenting the Sport Participation Model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patients

Introduction: The study aims to present the sport participation model of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods: This research was exploratory mixed method (qualitative-quantitative), respectively. The population in the qualitative section of the study consisted of some sports authorities, specialist physicians, sports management professors and a number of athletes with MS illnesses (n = 18), and in the quantitative section, some of the patients who were referred to medical centers (n = 224). Sampling was targeted and accessible. Data were collected through qualitative interviews and quantitative researcher-made questionnaires. Reliability was confirmed by considering the ideas of 8 experts in sports science and the validity was obtained using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.86). Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics (EFA) with Spss22 and path analysis using Smart PLS software. Results: According to the results, six different factors affecting the participation of MS patients were: individual (t=2.881, β=0.169), managerial (t=2.588, β=0.149), economic (t=2.617, β=0.131), media (t=4.776, β=0.126), socio-cultural (t=4.629, β=0.147) and facilities-equipment (t=3.091, β=0.112). Conclusions: Given the research findings, a total of six identified factors reflect the model of development of sports participation of MS patients, and with officials' attention to the mentioned factors, the MS patients' participation in sports activities will increase dramatically which will in turn improve their lifestyle.