Gains of a Special Athlete in the Context of Quality of Life: A Case Study in Line with Parent Opinions

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of sportive career of a special athlete, who participated in sportive competitions at the elite level, on his quality of life. In the study, the case study design was used which is one of the qualitative research approaches. Criterion sampling from the purposeful sampling methods was used in the selection of the participant. Some of the change data in the life of a popular athlete with Down syndrome at the elite level were obtained using interview technique in the direction of his father's assessments. Data were collected by semi-structured interview form. In the data analysis, descriptive and content analysis were used. As a result of the analysis, 6 themes were obtained. These are physical, social, emotional and school functions of sport, which are the sub-parameters of healthy life, psychosocial health and positive responses to family. As a result, in addition to ensuring the development of physical characteristics in athletes with special needs, it has been determined that sportsmanship has a different effect on his psychological and social characteristics and has, in this direction, a direct positive effect on the quality of life. However, it has been determined that the sportive achievements of the special athlete also contribute positively to the family