European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 18, 2 (2025) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2024.015

EUDAPA: Academic, social and employment assessment of an international programme

Ramiro Muñoz-Calvo1,2, Saleky García-Gómez1, Jyrki Vilhu2, Javier Pérez-Tejero1
1 Fundación Sanitas” Chair in Inclusive Sport Studies, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
2 Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences

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.

Keywords: education; international cooperation; EU standards; professional qualifications; disability

Received: December 7, 2020; Revised: November 19, 2024; Accepted: December 6, 2024; Published online: May 9, 2025  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Muñoz-Calvo, R., García-Gómez, S., Vilhu, J., & Pérez-Tejero, J. (2025). EUDAPA: Academic, social and employment assessment of an international programme. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 18, Article 2. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2024.015
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. ANECA. (2006). Libro blanco del Grado en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte [White paper for the Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences]. https://www.aneca.es/documents/20123/63950/libroblanco_deporte_def.pdf/43809f93-1aa1-11cd-4983-60161d31d6a9?t=1654601717192
    2. Anzai, Y., & Simon, H. A. (1979). The theory of learning by doing. Psychological review, 86(2), 124. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.86.2.124 Go to original source...
    3. Bianco, A. (2003). Diplome European Universitaire en activite physique adaptee [DEUAPA, information booklet in five languages describing years 1997-2000] Torino, Italy: SOCRATES/ERASMUS. (p. 93/99).
    4. Block, M. E., Hutzler, Y., Barak, S., & Klavina, A. 2013. Creation and validation of the self-efficacy instrument for physical education teacher education majors toward inclusion. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 30(2),184-205. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.30.2.184 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Boursier, C. (2012). Playing sports with a disability: Adapted physical activity (APA). La nouvelle revue de l'adaptation et de la scolarisation, 58. Paris: Hervé Benoit. Go to original source...
    6. DePauw, K. P., & Doll-Tepper, G. (1989). European perspectives on adapted physical activity. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 6(2), 95-99. https://doi.org/10.1123/APAQ.6.2.95 Go to original source...
    7. Ng, K., Klavina, A., Ferreira, J. P., Barrett, U., Pozeriene, J., & Reina, R. (2021). Teachers' preparedness to deliver remote adapted physical education from different European perspectives: Updates to the European standards in adapted physical activity. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 36(1), 98-113. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2021.1872848 Go to original source...
    8. Ginis, K. A. M., van der Ploeg, H. P., Foster, C., Lai, B., McBride, C. B., Ng, K., Pratt, M., Shirazipour, C.H., Smith, B., Vásques, P.M., & Heath, G. W. (2021). Participation of people living with disabilities in physical activity: a global perspective. The Lancet, 398(10298), 443-455. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01164-8 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Holland, S. K., & Haegele, J. A. (2020). Socialization experiences of first-year adapted physical education teachers with a master's degree. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 37(3), 304-323. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2019-0126 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. Hernández-Álvarez, J.L., & Jiménez-Monteagudo, M.L. (2013). La formación inicial para una educación física inclusiva: situación, prospectiva y competencias [Initial training for inclusive physical education: situation, perspective and competencias]. International Journal of Medicine and Science of Physical Activity and Sport, 13. Retrieved from: https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/542/54228442004.pdf
    11. Hodge, S., Lieberman, L., & Murata, N. (2017). Essentials of teaching adapted physical education: Diversity, culture, and inclusion. Routledge. Go to original source...
    12. Hutzler, Y. (2008). APA as a tool for assessment and intervention: a point of view IFAPA. In Pérez-Tejero, J. (Ed.) Discapacidad, calidad de vida y actividad físico deportiva: la situación actual mirando hacia el futuro [Disability, quality of life and sports physical activity: the current situation looking towards the future] (pp. 181-207). Dirección de General de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid.
    13. Hutzler, Y. (2007). A systematic ecological model for adapting physical activities: theoretical foundations and practical examples. Adapted physical activity quarterly, 24(4), 287-304. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.24.4.287 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. INEF. (2014). Bachelor´s degree sport Science, INEF UPM: According with the Faculty Board on 19th December, 2012, with favourable answer of ANECA on 15th July, 2013.
    15. Klavina, A., & Kudlacek, M. (2011). Physical education for students with special education needs in Europe: findings of the EUSAPA project. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 4(2), 46-62. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2011.008 Go to original source...
    16. Kudlacek, M., & Barrett, U. (2011). Adapted physical activity as a profession in Europe. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.5507/EUJ.2011.005 Go to original source...
    17. Kudlacek, M., Morgulec-Adamowicz, N., & Velleren, J. (Eds.). (2010). European standards in adapted physical activity. Palacký University.
    18. Kudláèek, M., Reponen, M., Barrett, U., & Jesina, O. (2024). European diploma in adapted physical activity (lessons learned from history - vision for future). European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity (EUCAPA) book of abstracts. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 17(10), 125. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2024.007 Go to original source...
    19. Rintala, P. (2019). Quality partnerships in adapted physical activity. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 12(7). https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2019.012 Go to original source...
    20. Sherrill, C., & Hutzler, Y. (2008). Adapted physical activity sciences. In J. Borms (Ed.), Directory of sport science (5th ed., pp. 89-103). ICSSPE/CIEPSS.
    21. van Lindert, C., Scheerder, J. & Brittain, I. (2023). (Eds.) The Palgrave handbook of disability sport in Europe. Palgrave Macmillan. Go to original source...
    22. Vilhu, J. (2014). Training and professional opportunities in APA across Europe: EUDAPA. In R. Reina & J. Pérez-Tejero (Eds.), European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity - EUCAPA 2014: book of abstracts. Publicaciones del CEDI - 5 Series. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Fundación Sanitas, Psysport.
    23. World Health Organization WHO. (2001). International classification of functioning, disability and health. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content