{"title":"Understanding How Athlete Classification Is Supported by Administrators Within National Sport Organizations.","authors":"Janet A Lawson, Amy E Latimer-Cheung","doi":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0138","DOIUrl":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0138","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Classification is an essential aspect of parasport. However, the exact roles and responsibilities of parasport administrators related to classification have not yet been fully explored. This study aimed to understand how administrators in national sport organizations support classification. Six administrators participated in semistructured interviews. Critical realist analysis generated three themes: knowledge of classification, classification context, and administrators' roles related to classification. Knowledge of classification speaks to the importance of administrators' understanding classification, as well as their reliance on experiential learning and mentorship to understand the classification system and their role within it. Classification context refers to the tension within parasport resulting from competing uses of classification: Some organizations use classification to facilitate participation, while others reserve classification for high-performance athletes. Resultingly, administrators' roles are responsive to the unique needs of their organization. Altogether, this work describes how administrators may act as knowledge brokers in the parasport context.</p>","PeriodicalId":520545,"journal":{"name":"Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144334783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"What Kind of Information About the Accessibility of Sports Facilities Is Useful?","authors":"Jonas Wibowo, Jan Haut, Lasse Müller","doi":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0203","DOIUrl":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates how accessibility information for sports facilities can be effectively designed and presented to serve diverse user needs. Through document analysis of 16 German-language publications and 18 expert interviews with stakeholders, including people with disabilities and facility planners, the research examined different approaches to organizing accessibility information. The study revealed three central systems for conceptualizing accessibility: by facility areas, by groups of people, and by spatial characteristics. Findings indicate a \"wheelchair bias\" in existing documentation, with wheelchair users receiving disproportionate attention compared with other disability groups. While binary accessibility ratings prove insufficient for individual users' needs, detailed spatial characteristic information enables more precise facility assessment. The research suggests that accessibility information systems should be flexible enough to serve different stakeholder needs, from detailed criteria for potential users to aggregated data for decision makers. The study contributes to developing more inclusive and user-friendly accessibility information systems for sports facilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":520545,"journal":{"name":"Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ","volume":" ","pages":"1-23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144236720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Radovan Hadza, Dusana Augustovicova, Ana Carolina Paludo, Debbie Van Biesen, Michal Hruby
{"title":"Countermovement-Jump Test-Retest Reliability in Top-Level Para-Karate Athletes With Intellectual Impairment Using Kistler Force Plates.","authors":"Radovan Hadza, Dusana Augustovicova, Ana Carolina Paludo, Debbie Van Biesen, Michal Hruby","doi":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0149","DOIUrl":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the test-retest reliability of the countermovement-jump (CMJ) test using Kistler force plates to assess explosive power in top-level para-karate athletes with intellectual impairment (II) or Down syndrome (DS). Forty-four athletes (II, n = 20; DS, n = 24) were evaluated during the 2023 World Karate Championships. Each performed two CMJs with a 1-min rest between. Key parameters measured included jump height, force index, and maximal rate of force development. Results showed no significant differences between test and retest for either group. Athletes with II exhibited better reliability metrics (e.g., intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = .381-.953) compared with DS (ICC = .029-.64). The study concludes that the CMJ test is highly reliable for assessing explosive power in athletes with II, while DS requires careful protocol adjustments to enhance reliability, ensuring consistent data for coaches and sport scientists.</p>","PeriodicalId":520545,"journal":{"name":"Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144228384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brantley K Ballenger, Stanley P Brown, Robert W Motl, Bo Fernhall, Stamatis Agiovlasitis
{"title":"Levels and Patterns of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Adults With and Without Down Syndrome.","authors":"Brantley K Ballenger, Stanley P Brown, Robert W Motl, Bo Fernhall, Stamatis Agiovlasitis","doi":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0157","DOIUrl":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Previous studies have reported that adults with Down syndrome (DS) may perform less physical activity (PA) and more sedentary behavior (SB) than adults without DS (non-DS). We investigated differences in PA and SB profiles between DS and non-DS when utilizing newly developed population-specific activity-intensity cut points. Ninety adults (DS: 40; non-DS: 50) had PA and SB measured by accelerometry. Data were scored with cut points for DS and non-DS. Results from 2 × 2 (Condition × Sex) analysis of covariance indicated adults with DS had less sedentary but more moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) time, more ≥1-min but less ≥10-, ≥30-, and ≥ 60-min sedentary bouts, and shorter ≥1- and ≥10-min sedentary bouts than non-DS. DS also had more ≥10-min MVPA bouts but shorter ≥10- and ≥20-min MVPA bouts than non-DS. DS performed more MVPA and less SB than non-DS when scoring data with population-specific cut points.</p>","PeriodicalId":520545,"journal":{"name":"Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144228385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Teaching Physical Education to Children With Autism: Stories From the Field.","authors":"Heather Katz","doi":"10.1123/apaq.2025-0062","DOIUrl":"10.1123/apaq.2025-0062","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520545,"journal":{"name":"Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ","volume":" ","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144176178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dianne Kortekaas, Sean Healy, Tine Van Damme, Ingi Einarsson, Jan Burns, Debbie Van Biesen
{"title":"Coaching Individuals With Intellectual Disability and/or Autism: Perspectives of Coaches and Physical Education Teachers in Belgium.","authors":"Dianne Kortekaas, Sean Healy, Tine Van Damme, Ingi Einarsson, Jan Burns, Debbie Van Biesen","doi":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0206","DOIUrl":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0206","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This qualitative study explored the experiences of coaches and physical education teachers, collectively referred to as physical activity (PA) professionals, when coaching individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and/or autism. Furthermore, this study explored the educational resources utilized by PA professionals and their needs in terms of increasing knowledge and skills. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 PA professionals active across various contexts (segregation, integration, and inclusion). The interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Coaching individuals with ID and/or autism involves considering multiple factors including their physical abilities and behavioral characteristics, the expectations of parents/caregivers, and coach competence. PA professionals experienced complexities of coaching individuals with ID and/or autism and challenges at interpersonal, sport-specific, and environmental/policy levels expressing a need for more tailored education, hands-on experience with the population, and peer support. These findings can guide the development of tailor-made educational tools for coaches to enhance sport participation for individuals with ID and/or autism.</p>","PeriodicalId":520545,"journal":{"name":"Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ","volume":" ","pages":"1-27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144164527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Performance and Pacing Profiles of Competitive Track Events for Elite Athletes With Intellectual Impairment With and Without Additional Significant Impairments.","authors":"Pieter Boer, Jan Burns, Debbie Van Biesen","doi":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0181","DOIUrl":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0181","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To compare the pacing profiles of elite track athletes with intellectual impairments (II) and those with Down syndrome (DS) in 400- and 1,500-m track events.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The pacing data of 67 elite runners participating in the final 400-m (both genders) and 1,500-m (only males) track events of the Global Games (2023) were analyzed. Runners competed in two classes: a class for runners with II (without DS) and a separate class for runners with DS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For the 400-m event, male and female runners in both classes decelerated from the first segment (0-200 m) to the second segment (200-400 m) as the time main effect was significant (p < .001); however, the pacing strategy for both genders differed between the II and DS class as reported by the significant Gender × Class interaction effect (p < .001). The running velocity over the two segments of the race decreased more significantly for the II runners without DS. There was also a significant interaction effect for the 1,500-m race (p < .001). The DS runners show a more significant drop in running velocity over the split times of the race and with more varied fluctuations compared with the II runners without DS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the significant differences in pacing between 400- and 1,500-m elite runners with II and with and without DS. Elite runners with DS run at an overall slower velocity and follow a significantly different pacing pattern compared with runners with II without DS. Our findings show that runners with DS are less able to regulate their exercise intensity over the race than runners with II without DS.</p>","PeriodicalId":520545,"journal":{"name":"Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emma Hjalmarsson, Arnoud Edelman Bos, Linnéa Corell, Annika Kruse, Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalo, Jessica Norrbom, Eva Pontén, Petra van Schie, Annemieke I Buizer, Ferdinand von Walden
{"title":"Validation of the 6-Minute Frame Running Test as a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy.","authors":"Emma Hjalmarsson, Arnoud Edelman Bos, Linnéa Corell, Annika Kruse, Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalo, Jessica Norrbom, Eva Pontén, Petra van Schie, Annemieke I Buizer, Ferdinand von Walden","doi":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0153","DOIUrl":"10.1123/apaq.2024-0153","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk of poor health due to low aerobic fitness, yet valid assessment methods are limited, especially for individuals with severe CP. This study validated the 6-Minute Frame Running Test (6-MFRT) for assessing aerobic capacity in adolescents and young adults with CP.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Cardiorespiratory responses, blood lactate levels, and subjective exertion during the 6-MFRT were compared with data from the Frame Running Incremental Treadmill Test (FRITT) in 16 participants with CP, age 23 (6.5) years, with Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels II-V.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A strong correlation was found between peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in the 6-MFRT and FRITT (r = .95, p < .001) and between 6-MFRT distance and VO2peak (r = .71, p = .005). No significant difference in VO2peak was observed between tests (p = .186).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The 6-MFRT is a field test for estimating aerobic capacity in frame-running athletes with CP.</p>","PeriodicalId":520545,"journal":{"name":"Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}