Investigating Bariers to Participation in Sport Activities in Diabetic Patients in Urmia City

Exercise helps diabetic people greatly to control weight, balance blood glucose better, reduce a need for medications and insulin and balance blood lipid. The present study aimed to examine the diabetic patients’ barriers to their participation in sport activities. The methodology was descriptive – analytic and field method. The population consisted of 3000 diabetic patients in Urmia city and 341 subjects were selected by simple random sampling method.  The sport participation barriers questionnaire of ‎Keshgar et al. (2007) was used to collect data. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics (Kolmogorov - Smirnov, independent sample t test, ANOVA with repeated measures and LSD post hoc test) were used. The results of ANOVA indicated a significant difference in barriers to participation in sport activities (structural and infrastructure, interpersonal, intrapersonal) (P=0.001, F=637.887). The results of independent t test showed a significant difference (P<0.01) in structural barriers (P=0.01, r=0.006) and interpersonal barriers (P=0.01, r=0.001) to participation in sport between men and women. Given structural barriers was the first priority in the sport participation of diabetic patients, it is suggested that the authorities should reduce the structural barriers using targeted programs and policies, facilitate the participation of these patients in sport activities and pave the way for the development and growth of the community.