Industry perspectives on the implementation of social support for young adults with disability in community gyms: a qualitative study

Purpose: Social support is a known facilitator of exercise for people with disability. A qualitative approach was used to understand current social support practices in community gyms for young adults with disability.

Methods: Embedded within a larger project "Getting Young adult Moving - Supporting Participation and Access to Recreation Centres" (GYM-SPARC), semi-structured interviews were completed with 25 gym staff, representing 29 community gym facilities across Victoria, Australia. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results: Social support types and availability varied across community gyms. Social support practices included orientation, supervision, specialist input, logistical support, motivation, peer support and social activities. These were provided as "standard" supports available to all members, "inclusion" supports specific to people with disabilities, or "external" supports provided by external services but operating within the gym facility. Two themes described how social supports were implemented: (i) stages of participation - "getting in the door, getting started and ongoing participation," and (ii) influencing factors - "people, partnerships and policy."

Conclusion: Social support practices are seldom implemented by community gyms to facilitate young adults with disability to "get in the door." Improving partnerships between gyms, rehabilitation, health and disability services may support the transition into community gym exercise.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONUnderstanding current social support practices enables rehabilitation clinicians and the recreation sector to identify gaps and opportunities to promote gym participation for young adults with disability.Social supports for young adults with a disability are implemented variably across participation phases and driven by people, partnership, and policy factors.Currently, a gap exists in the provision of social support to facilitate young adults with disability "getting in the door" of community gyms.An opportunity exists for rehabilitation clinicians (such as physiotherapists) and community gyms to collaborate and facilitate the transition into community-based gym exercise for young adults with disability.