Paracanoagem e qualidade de vida: concepções de atletas com deficiência motora de Petrolina – PE.

The objective of the present study was to analyze what perception paracanoe athlets have about the relations of this paralympic sport with life quality. The sample consisted of 9 people with motor disability who live in the region of Petrolina - PE, Brazil. The subjects participated in a semi-structured interview containing questions regarding their conception about the effects of the practice of this sport on life quality. Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed and subjected to data analysis through Content Analysis, Thematic modality. All participants reported that the practice of paracanoe positively influenced aspects represented in eight categories: sleep, body balance, health, muscle strength, digestion, self-esteem, motor coordination and breathing. Thus, it was concluded that the paracanoe practice had a positive influence on the life quality of the people with motor disabilities in this study.