Stigma management through participation in sport and physical activity: Experiences of male college students with physical disabilities

Individuals with physical disabilities are often stigmatized because their bodies are assumed to vary from norms of physical competence and bodily app earance. Possession of a discrediting attribute may impair social interacti ons and result in the devaluation of an individual. The purpose of this pap er is to explore how involvement in sport and physical activity may be one strategy to manage the stigma of a disabled body. Data were collected throu gh in-depth interviews with 24 male college students with physical disabili ties. Findings indicate that respondents believe this context helps them ex ceed expectations associated with their disability through demonstration of physical skill, a fit healthy body, a muscular body, and a liberated body. Sport and physical activity may be effective in compensating for a spoiled identity as participation in this setting is unexpected and emphasizes an alternative representation of a disabled body.