# Full participation of people with physical disabilities in active eSports

> **NIH NIH R03** · CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER · 2023 · $83,500

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
In the United States, 18% of individuals aged 18 and over have a physical disability (defined as a mobility
impairment).1 Individuals with physical disabilities are less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than
individuals without disabilities, which may be connected to higher likelihood of poor physical and mental health
outcomes in the disability community.3 This gap in participation is in large part due to critical barriers to
participation.2,4,5 While individuals with physical disabilities have a basic right to full participation in society,6 there
are substantial medical, psychological, social, and environmental barriers that make full participation in physical
activity difficult.7 Research in this area has, however, largely overlooked a rapidly growing type of physical activity
participation: active eSports.2,4,5,8 The promise of active eSports leagues for physical activity promotion among
individuals with physical disabilities lies in the fact that, as a virtual sport, it could be easily scaled to reach diverse
communities that may not have resources for in-person parasport programming and promote physical activity
participation. However, according to preliminary research, individuals with physical disabilities who participate in
active eSports may be experiencing substantial inequities that would not be permitted in traditional sport
contexts.9 The objective of the proposed grant is to understand full participation6,10 for individuals with physical
disabilities in active eSports. More specifically, we seek to extend our previous research on quality parasport
participation to the realm of active eSports and answer the question: “What constitutes quality participation for
adults with physical disabilities in active eSports?” To answer this question, we will follow the blueprint laid out
in our previous development of the Quality Parasport Participation Framework2 and pursue three aims. In Aim
1, we will conduct a scoping review of active eSports research. We will examine existing literature on active
eSports among individuals with physical disabilities across the lifespan, with a focus on identifying barriers and
benefits to participation, as well as mechanisms linked to experiential aspects of participation. In Aim 2, we will
conduct a qualitative investigation seeking to understand experiences and perceptions of active eSports for
adults with physical disabilities. Finally, in Aim 3, we will develop a testable conceptual model of participation in
active eSports for adults with physical disabilities through a multi-step stakeholder-centered process. eSports is
the world’s fastest growing sport, with matches hosted by prominent gatekeepers to the traditional sports world,
including the International Olympic Committee.8,11,12 The findings from the proposed research will provide an
evidence base for future interventions, as well as a method for assessing full participation, equity, and inclusion
of people with physical disabi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10646057
- **Project number:** 1R03HD111712-01
- **Recipient organization:** CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Celina Hove Shirazipour
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $83,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-06-15 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10646057

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10646057, Full participation of people with physical disabilities in active eSports (1R03HD111712-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10646057. Licensed CC0.

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