Sport and Exercise in Special Populations

Recommended Prerequisites

None.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical sessions of expository nature and theoretical-practical sessions based on problem solving situations. Students are encouraged to read a total of 17 articles in English (17x4 hrs) and four articles in Portuguese (4x2 hrs). It is assumed that an article in English requires 4 hrs of reading and in Portuguese 2 hrs.

Learning Outcomes

- Understand and frame disability sport within their organizational structures both at national and international level.
- Understanding the contribution of exercise for health and well being of people with special educational needs and fit exercise as a preventive measure in terms of health and physical and mental well-being (WHO).
- Identify the guidelines aimed to improve physical condition in special populations.
- Develop knowledge about theoretical and practical aspects of planning, organization and adaptation of non-competitive sports activities, specific to each area of disability.
- Develop theoretical and practical knowledge on the methodology of training for different adapted sports to each specific area of disability and analyze the most important physical qualities associated with performance.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

[1] Historical and cultural adapted sports movement, its importance for the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities [2] Value of sport and physical activity in health and well-being of people with Special Needs and development of healthy life styles [3] Adapted sport organizations at national and international level: the case of the Special Olympics and the Paralympics [4] Sports classification and eligibility in Disability Sport [5] Physiological, psychological and sociological benefits of sport and regular exercise in special groups, implications for health and well-being [6] Exercise prescription: Principles of prescription and adaptation to individuals with disabilities [7] Planning and evaluating programs to improve aerobic endurance, strength , flexibility and speed / agility, and main conditioning methods [8] Psychological preparation for competition in the disability sports.

Head Lecturer(s)

José Pedro Leitão Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment
Work done in theoretical-practical classes: 25.0%
Sessions assisted: 75.0%

Final assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Varela, A.(1991). Desporto para as pessoas com deficiência, expressão distinta do desporto. Educação Especial e Reabilitação, vol.1, nº 5 e 6, Junções. Lisboa.

Sherrill, C. & Williams, T. (1996). Disability and Sport : Psychological Perspectives on Inclusion, Integration and Participation. Sport Science Review, 5 (1), 42-64.

Roswal, G.M., Damentko, M.B., Arnhold, R., Fagan, W., Arnhold, P., Djabova, S., Dobreva-Faria, I., Ferreira, J.P., Campos, M.J., Gaspar, P.M., & Pozeriene, J. (2007). Special Olympics University Programme: Best Practices. Journal of the Brazilian Society of Adapted Motor Activity. Vol. 12, nº1, Supplement – December, pp. 120-124.

Balic, M. G., Mateos, E.C., Blasco, C.G., & Fernhall, B. (2000). Physical fitness levels of physically active and sedentary adults with Down syndrome. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 17: 310-321.

Ferreira, J.P., & Campos, M.J. (2006). Principais benefícios do exercício e da prática desportiva regular em grupos com necessidades especiais. Revista Horizonte, Nov-Dez, Vol. XXI, nº 126 (dossier).

Blinde, E.M., & McClung, L.R. (1997). Enhancing the Physical and Social Self Through Recreational Activity: Accounts of Individuals with Physical Disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 14: 327-344.

Ferreira, J.P. (2006). Exercício, autopercepções e bem-estar psicológico em praticantes com deficiência motora. In D. Rodrigues (Ed.) Actividade Motora Adaptada: A alegria do corpo. S. Paulo: Artes Médicas, pp. 144-158.

Ferreira, J.P., & Gaspar, P.M. (2005). A importância da Autoestima e da Autoconfiança no contexto da preparação desportiva: O contributo do treinador no desenvolvimento da identidade do jovem atleta Revista Treino Desportivo. Nº6 (especial), Ano III, 3ª Série, pp.38-45.

Williams, T. (1994). Disability sport socialization and identity construction. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 11: 14-31.

Miller, P. (1995) Fitness Programming and Physical Disability (Cap. 5). Human Kinetics.

Lockette, K. & Keyes, A.M. (1994). Conditioning with physical disabilities (Cap. 2,3 and 5). Human Kinetics.

Bompa, T.(1999) Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training. Fourth Edition. Human Kinetics. Cap2.

Winnick,J. ; Short, F. (1999). The Brockport Physical Fitness Test Manual. Human Kinetics, USA.

Bompa, T.(1999) Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training. Fourth Edition. Human Kinetics. Cap7 e 8.

Winnick, J.P. (2000). Adapted physical education and sport (Cap. 26). Human Kinetics.

Ferreira, J.P. Gaspar, P.M., & Ruiz Peres, L.M. (2006). Ansiedade e performance: Compreensão do fenómeno e sugestões para jovens atletas. In M.J. Coelho e Silva, C.E. Gonçalves & A. Figueiredo (Eds.) Desporto de Jovens ou Jovens no Desporto? (pp. 125-146). Coimbra: Faculdade de Ciências do Desporto e Educação Física e Instituto do Desporto de Portugal.

Ferreira, J.P., Chatzisarantis, N., Gaspar, P., & Campos, M.J., (2007). Precompetitive anxiety and self-confidence in athletes with disability. Perceptual Motor Skills, 105, pp. 339-346.