Comparing the quality of experiences of athletes with a disability at two high-performance talent identification events

Two approaches to high-performance talent identification events for athletes with a disability (AWAD) are for participants to: 1) perform physically demanding tests, or 2) try different sports. Athletes' quality of experience at these events may influence their pursuit of Para sport; however, the impact of these differing event formats on experience quality is unknown. Objective: To compare the experiences of AWAD between high-performance talent identification events. Participants: Twenty individuals with physical and/or visual impairments (Mage=30.39, SD=13.755; 45% Female) who attended one of two four-hour talent identification events were recruited. Methods: Pre-post measures of quality experience assessed participants' feeling states, event enjoyment, and intentions to pursue Para sport. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and independent t-tests. Results: Feelings of autonomy, belonging, and engagement increased following the events, ps=