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The article describes several approaches for improving Paralympic development programs. Particular focus is given to the vision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), as well as the IPC Strategic Plan 2015-18. Also mentioned are the Ostersund Declaration, long-term athlete-development model in Canada, Sports Policy factors Leading to International Sporting Success (SPLISS) model, and the USA Paralympic Sport Club Excellence Program.

The author analyzes the appearance of the term adaptive physical activity (adaptive PA) and reflects on its meaning and usage. He cites a search conducted in March 2016 using the term adapted physical activity compared with adaptive physical activity across the SPORTDiscus and PubMed databases. He suggests applying the term adapted PA to refer to physical activity provided within the field of practice that has been modified to meet the needs of its participants.

In this study the effect of an experimental movement and swimming program of six months on motor function in the water measured by means of the Water Orientation Score and self-perception measured by means of the Martinek-Zaichkowsky Self-concept Scale was investigated. 23 children participated in the program, completing both tests prior to and after the intervention. An age-, sex-, and disability-matched control group of 23 children completed only the Self-concept Scale at pre-and posttest. Analysis indicated a significant improvement in Water Orientation Score of children in the trained group, but no effect on scores of the Self-concept Scale.

Swimming and aquatic exercise are often medically prescribed for children with disabilities, since recognized as part of paramedical treatment programs for persons with disabilities (Huberman, 1976; Ruoti, Morris, & Cole, [...]

Problems of positioning are among the main issues concerning wheelchair tennis players. They are embodied in the question, "How to arrive at the best position in relation to the ball [...]

The purpose was to validate a self-efficacy (SE) instrument toward including students with disability in physical education (PE). Three scales referring to intellectual disabilities (ID), physical disabilities (PD), or visual impairments (VI) were administered to 486 physical education teacher education (PETE) majors. The sample was randomly split, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA, respectively) were conducted. After deleting items that did not meet inclusion criteria, EFA item loadings ranged from 0.53 to 0.91, and Cronbach's alpha reliability was high (for ID = .86, PD = .90, and VI = .92). CFA showed that the ID scale demonstrated good goodness-of-fit, whereas in the PD and in the VI scales demonstrated moderate fit. Thus, the content and construct validity of the instrument was supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to describe running economy, soccer specific endurance, and selected kinematic running criteria in soccer players with cerebral palsy (SPCP) and to compare them with values of position-matched players without CP. Fourteen international, male soccer players with cerebral palsy completed the "Yo- Yo" intermittent recovery run level 1 (IRL-1) test to assess soccer-specific endurance and a submaximal running test on a treadmill to determine running economy. The mean IRL-1 distance covered by the SPCP of the Irish CP team was found to be 43-50% below the mean distance attained by position-matched soccer players without disability, while running economy was found to be within the range of that reported for able-bodied athletes. No relationship could be found between the level of CP-ISRA classification and soccer-specific endurance or running economy in this group of elite level SPCP. Though small in number, these data support a further examination of the relationship between CP classification and sport-specific performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to measure the outcome effects of a hydrotherapy program lasting 12 sessions on the rehabilitation of participants after joint replacement because of arthritis-related conditions. Sixteen volunteers at a postrehabilitation stage (15 women and 1 man, mean age 56.7 ± 6.5 y) participated in a quasi-experimental design with simple interrupted time series aimed at improving range of motion around the hip joints, mobility (Berg Balance Scale; BBS), walking velocity in the timed up-and-go test (TUG), and scores on a quality-of-life scale (SF-36). One-way ANOVA statistics showed a significant effect between the pre- and posttest outcomes without differences between baseline and pretest for the extension and abduction of the operated hip, the BBS, the TUG, and the summary measures of the SF-36 (general, physical, and mental health). Findings suggest significant effects of the proposed treatment across the variables measured in participants with joint transplantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to explore the personal experiences of children with physical disabilities in physical education (PE) and to identify supporting and limiting mechanisms to their inclusion and empowerment. A computerized analysis of individual profiles was performed based on in-depth interviews with 8 females and 2 males, ages 9 to 15, who were included in regular PE classes. Two individual profiles served as examples for situations faced during inclusive settings and typical reaction patterns. A comparative qualitative analysis of interview themes generated five main categories of themes: assistive devices, physical activity, peers, important adults, and self. Experiences during physical activity were identified as supporting or limiting empowerment within each category, based on selected criteria. An almost equal distribution of supporting and limiting factors was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to compare the anaerobic performance of male and female wheelchair basketball players in the 30-s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), performed on a mobile wheelchair ergometer. Participants were 10 female and 10 male wheelchair basketball players, aged 39 to 56, from a provincial wheelchair basketball team. Variables measured included peak and mean velocity and power, as well as the fatigue indices. Test-retest reliability, based on 13 participants (7 males and 6 females), ranged from .88 to .95 for peak and mean power and velocity variables and from .40 to .62 for the fatigue indices. Findings for the sample of 20 indicated that (a) males had significantly higher peak and mean velocity and power than females, and (b) females had significantly higher velocity fatigue indices than males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven male elite wheelchair basketball players took part in an all-out, high-velocity, "Wingate"-type ergometric test lasting 30 s. An electrically braked and electronically controlled roller device was used to measure power and velocity. A breath-by-breath metabolic measurement cart collected net O[sub 2] uptake prior to, during, and after the test. Average braking load and velocity were 9.91 N · m and 5.09 m · s[sup -1], respectively. Mean total work during the test was 4,468.47 ± 1,326 J. Based on net O[sub 2] cost and estimating a 10% efficiency, the aerobic contribution would be 29.8 ± 10.2%. Therefore, performance in this test seems to be predominantly anaerobic. Velocity variables of the subjects included in this study had a significant relationship to power variables and thus are considered valid for measuring peak performance, mean performance, and fatigue. A regression analysis utilizing wheel size and function as independent variables presented a significant relationship to peak velocity (P < .005). Further findings indicated variability in technique among subjects that led to training suggestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the reporting and submission guidelines for authors of the journal "Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly."

Aquatic Intervention-Israel Introduction and Aims: This study aimed to compare between the motor outcomes of a Halliwick-based training program (HT) and a strength and skill-based program organized according to the [...]

Sufficient and regular physical activity is considered a protective factor, reducing the onset of secondary disability conditions in adolescents with chronic diseases and functional limitations. The aim of this study was to explore whether participation in organized sport may be associated to higher levels of physical activity in adolescents with functional limitations, based on a national representative sample. Data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study collected in Finland from two data collection rounds (2002 and 2010)were conducted and pooled fromadolescents aged between 13 and 15 years old with functional limitations (n = 1041). Differences in self-reported physical activity over the past week and participation in organized sport activity were analysed for each function. Overall, four in ten (n = 413) participated in organized sport and were significantly (p < 0.001) more physically active (mean = 4.92 days, SD= 1.81) than their non-participating (mean = 3.29, SD = 1.86) peers with functional limitations. Despite low population prevalence, adolescents with epilepsy or visual impairments were the least active if they were not participating in organized sport, yet were the most active if they were involved in organized sport. Participating in organized sport appears to be an important factor promoting resources for maintaining recommended levels of physical activity in Finnish adolescents with functional limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Human Movement is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Ciencias del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Mechanical efficiency can assess motor performance in individuals with physical disabilities. The purpose was to determine the utility of predicting it from heart rate (HR) during a self-paced stair-climbing test in adults with chronic hemiparesis after stroke and to determine the minimal detectable change of net mechanical efficiency (MEnet) measured by this exercise. Methods: First, 15 subjects with chronic hemiparesis participated in a validation study (A) and then 28 took part in a repeatability study (B). In study A the MEnet was calculated from external work and oxygen uptake above rest (dVO2), as directly measured and as predicted from body weight and increase in heart rate (dHR). In study B, predicted dVO2 was used to obtain MEnet for duplicate stair-climbing tests (T1, T2) with >30 min rest between. Results: Measured MEnet was closely related to predicted MEnet ( r = 0.97, p < 0.001). In study B predicted MEnet for T2 and T1 were closely related ( r = 0.91, ICC = 0.90). Conclusion: With a minimal detectable change of 0.6% (0.053 of average MEnet score of 10.4%), MEnet values from the stair-climbing test seem sufficiently meaningful to estimate ambulatory ability and its changes with interventions or walking aids in adults with hemiparesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Aplikované Pohybové Aktivity v Teorii a Praxi is the property of Palacky University in Olomouc and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this article was to explore mediating factors to pursuing a competitive swimming career as well as attributes of participation, retrospectively reported by nine retired competitive swimmers with a disability. A focus group discussion followed by a qualitative content analysis was performed. Categories of verbal comments were inductively analyzed by two trained social scientists. Trustworthiness was obtained through verbally and literally describing the proposed theme categories to the focus group participants during a feedback session, who then filled in a questionnaire depicting their agreement or disagreement with the proposed themes. The main categories generated included (a) facilitators to participation, (b) barriers to participation, and (c) participation attributions. Strongest agreement of participants with facilitator sub categories regarded (a) feeling of being an elite group, and (b) joy and fun. Participants' retrospective accounts reflected a need for reducing barriers and enhancing facilitators and empowerment in pursuing an athletic carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with severe physical disabilities may experience psychosocial problems. Boccia is one sport that athletes with severe disability can engage in, but no information on the effects of Boccia on psychosocial outcomes for participants with severe disability is available. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of Boccia on psychosocial outcomes in persons with severe disabilities. The study included two competitive Boccia groups: independent competitive (IC) (n = 9) and nonindependent competitive (NIC) (n = 7), as well as a recreational Boccia group (n = 14) and control subjects (n = 13) (mean age for all participants = 46.46 +/- 10.75 yr). All participants underwent a rehabilitation program. Between-group differences in change scores were assessed using analysis of variance/multivariate analysis of variance. Within-group differences were compared using t-tests and effect sizes (ESs). Change in psychosocial parameters was not significantly influenced by study group (p > 0.05). All groups presented moderate-to-large ESs in physical and psychological quality of life (ES > 0.51). In comparison to the control group, who presented small-to-trivial ESs in General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), StateTrait Anxiety Inventory, and Profile of Mood States-Tension, the IC and recreational group presented moderate ESs in GHQ-28, whereas the NIC group presented moderate ESs in anxiety and tension. In conclusion, the rehabilitation program had a general positive effect on the psychosocial status of individuals with severe physical disabilities. However, the competitive Boccia groups demonstrated a greater number of favorable changes, suggesting an added value of participation in Boccia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]