European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 2012 (vol. 5), issue 1

EXPLORING EXPERIENCES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SPECIAL SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: A QUALITATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Chunxiao Li, Shihui Chen

European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 5, 7-17 (2012) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2012.001  

Little is known about the physical activity (PA) experiences of school-aged students with cerebral palsy (CP) in both school and community settings. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the PA experiences from special school students with CP. Data were collected through face to face semi-structured interviews with 8 special school students with CP. Interviews were audio taped and converted to verbatim transcriptions and then analyzed using content analysis. The analysis led to four different themes related with participation of PA, which were: (a) sedentary behaviours; (b) enjoyment; (c) motivations; and (d) barriers. It was concluded...

PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND GENERAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN GERMANY

Michaela Knoll, Friedhold Fediuk

European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 5, 18-27 (2012) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2012.002  

This article will present an overview concerning the development and the current status of special education services in Germany. This description will differentiate between physical education programs for students with a disability attending a special education school for their specific type of disability, and for those attending a general school together with students without a disability. Extracurricular physical activity programs are classified separately in the special education system in Germany. Due to the heterogeneity within a specific type of disability as well as between students with and without a disability, concepts for designing physical...

A SURVEY STUDY ON ATTITUDES OF SPECIAL OLYMPIC GAMES VOLUNTEERS TOWARD THE INCLUSION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN CHINA

Chunxiao Li, Lifan Wu

European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 5, 28-38 (2012) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2012.003  

Currently no study investigates the extent of exposure to people with ID among Special Olympic Games (SOG) volunteers and the relationship between the exposure and attitudes toward the inclusion of individuals with ID. Thus, the present study was to investigate this gap. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with three hundred and eighty six SOG volunteers for the 5th (China) SOG in 2010. The results revealed that SOG volunteers were exposed to ID mainly through secondary sources (e.g., parents and mass media). There was a positive correlation between exposure to ID and attitude towards the inclusion of individuals with ID. There were no significant...

A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS AND HEALTH RELATED VARIABLES OF LATVIAN OLDER ADULTS

Aivars Kaupuzs

European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 5, 39-52 (2012) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2012.004  

The study aim is to examine the relationships between self-rated physical activity (PA), health related subjective and objective variables and psychological determinants derived from the Transtheoretical and Social Cognitive theories. The study sample includes 359 respondents aged 60 to 75 years. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) was used to assess the level of PA. As a subjective measure of health status it was used The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2). For objective health determinants were used the Heart Health consulting room cardiovascular risk factors assessment data. Multidimensional Outcome Exercise...

EVALUATING PERFORMANCE PROGRESSION IN BEGINNER WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

Judith Berzen, Yeshayahu Shayke Hutzler

European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 5, 53-64 (2012) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2012.005  

The purpose of this study was to describe the change in selected fitness and skill components over a nine-month period of a new intensive Wheelchair Rugby (WR) practice program. Sixteen WR players of the newly established national league participated in this intervention, which included team and individual practice sessions. Five items of the Beck Battery of Quad Rugby Skills and a 10-min wheelchair push test were performed at the beginning (t 1), after three months (t 2), and after an additional six months period of practice (t 3). Based on repeated measures t-tests for mean data of at least 50% of the participants, significant improvements were found...