Futsal and Subjective Wellbeing of Athletes with Intellectual Impairments in Bamenda and Yaoundé, Cameroon

Practicing futsal, a dynamic indoor soccer variant, promotes physical activity and social engagement, but its impact on the subjective well-being among athletes with impairments in resource-limited settings remains underexplored. This study examined the influence of futsal participation on the subjective well-being of players with physical impairments in Bamenda and Yaoundé, Cameroon. A purposive sample of 36 athletes with impairments who participate in futsal was recruited from Bamenda and Yaoundé. Using a quantitative survey approach, data were collected via the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Descriptive statistics showed moderate futsal participation (M = 15.49, SD = 3.32) and above-average well-being (M = 20.45, SD = 3.41). Regression analysis revealed a weak but significant positive correlation ($R^2 = .053$, p = .007) between futsal participation and well-being, explaining 5.3% of the variance. Athletes reported high levels of joy (87.0%) and a strong focus on their abilities (80.1%), but low confidence in their technical skills (26.7%) and sense of team belonging (32.6%), highlighting barriers such as inadequate coaching, limited facilities, and socio-cultural stigma. The study also emphasized the role of futsal in fostering energy, friendships, and a sense of purpose, despite infrastructural challenges. The findings confirm that futsal enhances subjective well-being, particularly through positive affect and personal growth, thereby rejecting the null hypothesis. This study underscores futsal’s potential to improve subjective well-being among athletes with impairments by fostering joy, purpose, and social bonds. However, its modest effect size highlights the need for improved coaching, accessible infrastructure, and stigma reduction to maximize these benefits. These insights can guide inclusive team sports programs in resource-constrained settings.