Individual and contextual predictors of retention in Special Olympics for youth with intellectual disability: who stays involved?

Background: Despite the recognised benefits of sport, participation is often reported to be low for youth with intellectual disability (ID). The current study was the first to longitudinally examine sport retention in this population, a critical aspect of ensuring participation.

Methods: Study participants were parents/caregivers of athletes with ID involved in community Special Olympics (SO), 11–22 years of age (N = 345). Participants completed an online survey in 2012 that included caregiver demographic and athlete intrapersonal, interpersonal and broader contextual variables. Retention rates for 2019 were determined using the SO provincial registration lists.

Results: Of the 345 survey participants, 81.7% remained active athletes in 2019. Caregiver demographic and athlete intrapersonal factors were largely unrelated to retention. In contrast, retention was associated with the frequency and number of sports athletes participated in, the perceived psychosocial gains of SO involvement and the environmental supports that were available to facilitate participation; frequency of sport participation was the strongest predictor of remaining a registered athlete.

Conclusions: This study has implications for future initiatives aimed at increasing sport retention in a population that struggles to be engaged in sport. Efforts should focus on the athlete experience and sport-specific factors. Coaches and caregivers can foster positive experiences and play an important role in continued sport participation.