O’Connor, Siobhán, Moran, Kieran, Whyte, Enda F. and Lacey, Aisling C. (2021) Does stammering act as a barrier to exercise and sport in Irish adults who stammer? Journal of Fluency Disorders, 70 (105880). pp. 1-9. ISSN 0094-730X
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Abstract
Purpose
Exercise and sport participation lead to many physical and psychosocial benefits. However, barriers to exercise and sporting participation exist. This study aims to examine if stammering acts as a barrier to exercise and sporting participation in adults.
Methods
One hundred and six adults who stammer (male n = 74, female n = 32; 33.83 ± 14.5 years) completed an anonymous questionnaire which evaluated their stammering history, exercise and sporting participation, views on why they exercise, whether stammering prevented or negatively influenced their participation in exercise or sport. Descriptive statistics were then calculated.
Results
The majority (90.6 %) of participants take part in some form of exercise/sport. However, their stammer prevented them from taking part in a specific exercise/sport at least once (49.1 %), due to being too nervous to introduce themselves, nervous or fear of stammering or being judged. Their stammer also negatively impacted their involvement when participating at least once (42.4 %), with not feeling part of the team and fear of speaking reported. Self-disclosure of their stammer and improving awareness of stammering were identified as common facilitators for taking part in exercise/sport.
Conclusion
Stammering was not found to impact general participation in exercise and sport but was identified as a barrier to partaking in specific exercise and sport and their enjoyment thereof. Encouraging those who stammer to inform those involved in sport and exercise (e.g. fellow players, coaches) about their stammer and improving stammer awareness across the general and sporting population may encourage further participation in exercise and sport in those who stammer.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Stammer; Stuttering; Physical activity; |
| Academic Unit: | Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute Faculty of Science and Engineering > Sports Science and Nutrition |
| Item ID: | 21273 |
| Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.jfludis.2021.105880 |
| Depositing User: | Kieran Moran |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Mar 2026 15:51 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Journal of Fluency Disorders |
| Publisher: | Elsevier (International Fluency Association) |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Related URLs: | |
| Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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