Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) and physical activity are interrelated and there are relevant to the health of the population, and the last one with a positive impact on people with disabilities. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare the characteristics and identify the association between the domains of QOL perception among a group of people with brain injury who practice football, para-sport athletes (PD) and people with brain injury who are not para-sport athletes (NPD), and to determine whether there are differences in the perception of QOL according to the different sport classes (FT1, FT2 and FT3). The study was carried out in Chile, where the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was applied to determine the participants' QOL. The results showed a positive and significant relationship was identified between the different domains of QoL (p < .001, r = .44 -.67). Furthermore, a better perception of QoL was observed in the PDs (p < .001, TE = 1.18, large) compared to that reported by the NPD group. On the other hand, no significant differences between domains were obtained among the different sport classes for the PD group. These data reinforce the idea of the positive influence of sports practice on physical and psychological aspects that influence social participation and perception of QoL in PD with brain injury. The combined development of factors associated with health and socio-emotional well-being could contribute to the consolidation of the practice of sport and physical activity, which in turn are beneficial for people with disabilities as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals in their agenda for the year 2030.