Evaluation of Smoking Behaviors and Attitudes of Visually Impaired Weightlifters and Coaches

OpenAlex İngilizce

This study was designed to descriptively evaluate the smoking behaviors and attitudes toward smoking among blind powerlifting athletes and their coaches. The research employed a cross-sectional and descriptive survey design and was conducted with visually impaired athletes actively competing at the national level in Türkiye, as well as the coaches working with these athletes within the framework of International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA)-governed powerlifting. Following the approval of the ethics committee, a total of 67 participants were included in the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. As the data collection instrument, a questionnaire was used, aiming to assess sociodemographic characteristics and attitudes and behaviors related to smoking. The collected data were analyzed statistically and were reported using descriptive statistics only (frequency and percentage). The findings revealed that more than half of the participants were current smokers, while the vast majority believed that smoking negatively affects athletic performance. A substantial proportion of smokers reported initiating smoking prior to starting sports, with smoking duration generally extending over many years and daily consumption levels clustering at moderate to high ranges. In addition, a widespread desire to quit smoking and confidence in the ability to quit were observed; however, participation rates in smoking cessation education and support programs were found to be low. This study provides descriptive data on smoking prevalence, smoking-related behaviors, and self-reported attitudes toward smoking and performance among blind powerlifting athletes and coaches. No objective performance indicators were measured, and no analytical comparisons between smoking behavior and performance outcomes were conducted.