This study investigates the determinants of parents' intentions to support physical activity in their children with cerebral palsy (CP), guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). It is hypothesized that parental intention to support PA in young people with CP will be influenced by attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Sixteen parents of young people with CP participating in the Exercises for CP (EXECP) intervention, were surveyed using a questionnaire developed based on the TPB constructs: Attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intention. Data was collected prior to the 3-month EXECP intervention, after the participants had already familiarized themselves with study procedures. A Bayesian statistical approach was central to the study´s methodology, employing Bayesian regression analysis, Bayesian correlation and model comparison tests, to evaluate the determinants of parental intentions to support physical activity in their young people with CP. The results showed that perceived behavioural control is the predominant factor influencing parental intentions, overshadowing attitude, and subjective norms. This finding underscores the crucial role of parents' perceived capabilities in facilitating physical activity in young people with CP. These insights highlight the need for interventions that strengthen parental efficacy and provide accessible resources, focusing on tailored, parent-centric strategies. Emphasizing perceived behavioural control as a crucial factor, the findings suggest pathways for interventions that empower parents with the knowledge and resources to facilitate physical activity in their children with CP.
While the Sport Commitment Model (SCM) has been widely used in research, recent studies suggest increasing scholarly interest in exploring additional antecedents to this model. Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), with its emphasis on factors influencing motivation, may provide a framework for exploring supplemental constructs to better understand the sport commitment of para-athletes with disabilities. This study examined the relationship among four potential SCT factors (i.e., sport enjoyment, perceived competence, sport friendship quality, external rewards) in predicting two dimensions of sport commitment: enthusiastic commitment and constrained commitment in Taiwanese para-athletes. A total of 149 para-athletes completed a 41-item questionnaire. Using multiple hierarchical regression analysis, all variables, except for external rewards, showed significant and positive correlations with enthusiastic commitment. Athletes who experienced higher enjoyment and had good friendship quality (R2 = 67%) displayed a stronger desire and determination to participate in sports. Sport enjoyment significantly predicted enthusiastic commitment but not constrained commitment with external rewards significantly predicting 20% of the variance of constrained commitment. The findings highlight the importance of emphasizing sport enjoyment and external rewards to enhance athletes' sport commitment. Guidance for practitioners working with this population is provided.
The European Diploma in Adapted Physical Activity (EUDAPA) is an international program focused on the adapted physical activity (APA) field. Students and teachers come from different places around the world in order to share. The aim of this study was to assess the opinion of EUDAPA alumni about the influence of the programme in their applied APA professional knowledge, competences, skills, socialization, and future employment capability. An ad hoc questionnaire was developed from a proposed evaluation of those skills, which was assessed and validated through experts' opinion. Thereafter, the tool was sent by email to all of the 136 alumni who took part in the programme between the years 2010 and 2016. Seventy answers were received and then analysed. The results showed that EUDAPA is a programme where the student becomes an APA professional with strong sense of self perception for positive change in the community. Additionally, the students improved their skills, highlighting that EUDAPA is an example of good practice in APA training, because of the academic, social, and employment benefits that they gain from the programme. In conclusion, EUDAPA alumni assessed that EUDAPA has improved their professional skills and due to the exchange possibilities, graduates acquired new social skills and job opportunities.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different focus of attention (Internal, External, and Mixed) instructions on the acquisition and learning of a throwing skill in children with intellectual disabilities. Thirty boys with intellectual disabilities (M = 12.1 SD = 1.42 years) with an intelligence quotient ranging between 50 and 69 participated in this study. All participants were randomly assigned to three groups (internal: focusing on the movements of their throwing hand, external: focusing on the movement of the beanbag, and mixed: focusing on the movement of their hand in the first half of training and focusing on the movement of the beanbag in the rest of training). Participants were asked to throw beanbags overhand at a circular target according to their attentional instructions. The results of this study showed that all groups had significant progress during the acquisition phase, although there was no significant interaction effect and all three attention focus strategies are similar. Also, the results of immediate and delayed retention tests showed a significant difference between the mixed and internal focus of attention groups, with better learning outcomes for the mixed group. The findings indicated that if the instructions regarding the focus of attention are provided based on the learning stages, it can be more beneficial for children with ID than presenting a single type of attentional focus throughout the entire learning process.
European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity 2024, Seville, Spain. Book of abstracts.
This study explores the use of psychological skills among Deaflympic athletes and aims to provide initial insights into sport psychology practices in this overlooked population. To this end, the frequency of psychological skills' usage, usage patterns, and differences between subgroups were examined within this population. The Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) was administered to 84 German Deaflympic athletes (mean age = 28; 27% female) along with biographical questions (e.g., hearing status). The findings indicate that Deaflympic athletes regularly utilize psychological skills in training and competition, displaying similar usage to that of Olympic athletes. However, only a minority of Deaflympic athletes train their skills with professional consultants. Additionally, relaxation techniques were employed rarely in comparison to the other investigated skills. This study's findings contribute to the foundation of sport psychology research with Deaflympic athletes and underscore the need for a differentiated approach in tailoring interventions for this population.
Quality field tests of athletic performance are important tools for coaches and athletes to evaluate athlete capabilities and changes over time. Current field tests for wheelchair rugby have not been well evaluated. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of five wheelchair rugby field tests (ball passing, two sprint tests, two agility tests). Wheelchair rugby players (n = 12) performed the field tests on 2 occasions, separated by 2 weeks, and performed a maximal isokinetic upper-extremity strength test (shoulder flexors and extensors). Spearman correlation was used to examine the relationship among the different field tests as well as to study the relationship with upper-extremity strength and athlete classification. Field test scores were evaluated for reliability across time with intraclass correlation (ICC) and the smallest detectable differences were determined. All tests, except passing, were highly correlated with each other (ρ > 0.85). Test-retest reliability (ICC) ranged between 0.89 - 0.99. Only the long sprint clockwise showed a good correlation with average upper-extremity force production (ρ > 0.75). All wheeling field tests had moderate to excellent correlation with athlete classification (ρ = 0.75 - 0.90). Based on these results, these wheelchair rugby field tests were deemed reliable and have discriminative validity (based on classification), though it may not be necessary to perform all tests to gauge an athlete's overall rugby skill level. Although the results are promising, a full validation should be conducted with a larger sample size.
Dance is an activity that engages the physical, cognitive, and social dimensions of movement and health. Research in dance and disability is often focused on reducing symptoms and behaviours, rather than individual experiences. Using a constructionist lens, we explored the meaning of dance as shared through personal narratives from adult dancers who live with neurodevelopmental disability and aimed to deepen our understanding of their experiences and perspectives on instruction. Interviews were conducted with 14 dancers from across Canada and the United States. Through an iterative thematic analysis, we identified three main themes and contextualized them using the combined constraints model of motor development and embodied knowledge theory: i) dance is who I am, ii) dance provides skills for life, iii) inclusive instruction and culture that supports me as a dancer. Collectively the dancers gained a sense of direction and belonging that fueled their motivation to interact socially. We also found that through strengths-based and person-centered approaches the dancers experienced greater purpose, direction, and gained skills applicable to dance and daily life.
This study aimed to examine upper extremity muscle strength, range of motion, and cardiovascular endurance in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) with attention paid to accessibility in built structures and adapted equipment that can facilitate exercise attendance and adherence. Eighteen participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 9) or the control (n = 9) group. Intervention group participants performed the exercise program using adapted weight machines for 75 minutes per session, twice a week for 10 weeks. This study collected measures of feasibility and assessed muscle strength, range of motion, and cardiovascular endurance. The median program attendance rate was 95% (range 80-100%). A linear mixed model showed significant group by time interaction effects in the overall upper extremity muscle strength (Δpost-pre: 61.3 kg, p < .001) and shoulder range of motion (Δpost -pre :94.4˚, p = .020), while insignificant effects on heart rates (p = .192). Ten weeks of exercise program in an accessible exercise environment is safe and feasible and could effectively improve upper extremity muscle strength and range of motion.
