Comparison of training and competition opportunities in leisure time among people with intellectual disabilities
in selected European countries

Lucie Francova; Hana Valkova; Roman Sinkovsky

Lucie Francova¹, Hana Valkova², Roman Sinkovsky¹

¹University of Pardubice, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Czech Republic
²Palacky University, Faculty of Physical Culture, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Comparison of training and competition opportunities in leisure time among people with intellectual disabilities in selected European countries

UPOREĐIVANJE MOGUĆNOSTI TRENIRANJA I TAKMIČENJA U TOKU SLOBODNOG VREMENA KOD LJUDI SA INTELEKTUALNIM SMETNJAMA U ODREĐENIM EVROPSKIM ZEMLJAMA

Monten. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2013, 2(2), 15-20

Abstract

Leisure time activities are important for individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) Table tennis (TT) seems to be the most suitable and accessible activity in relation to motor skills and low financial requirements. The aim of the project was to investigate the opportunities for the TT training and competition among individuals with ID in the following European countries: Austria, the Czech Republic, England, and Hungary. Those countries regularly participate in international TT events organized by Inas. The coaches of the mentioned countries were questioned about the TT training process of persons with ID during their leisure time. The survey was completed by 4 coaches (3 male and 1female), who work at various levels (from the lowest level in sports clubs to the top level in national teams) in each country. The research findings showed that all of the surveyed couches practiced trainings frequency two times per week. In addition to national games, all the countries organize competitions at regional levels and par¬ti¬ci¬pa¬te in international events. The data reveal that training camps lasting from 5 to 14 days per year are organized in all the sur¬veyed countries. The survey found certain training options, which correspond more to the standard of the recreational sport than to the standard of the top-level sport. A positive finding was the possibility of training with the intact population, which may be con¬si¬de¬red as an important phenomenon of social inclusion.

Keywords

intellectual disability, table tennis, training process, competition, training camps

Abstract (MNE)

Aktivnosti koje se izvode u toku slobodnog vremena važne su za individualce sa intelektualnom invaliditetom (ID). Stoni tenis (TT) izgleda kao najprikladnija i najpristupačnija aktivnost u odnosu na motorne sposobnosti i niske finansijske zahtjeve. Cilj ovog projekta bio je da se ispitaju mogućnosti treniranja i takmičenja u stonom tenisu kod individualaca sa intelektualnim invaliditetom u sljedećim evropskim zemljama: Austrija, Česka Republika, Engleska i Mađarska. Ove zemlje redovno učestvuju u međunarodnim događajima stonog tenisa koje organizuje Inas. Treneri iz pomenutih zemalja ispitivani su o procesu treniranja stonog tenisa tokom slobodnog vremena kod osoba sa intelektualnim invaliditetom. Istraživanje je završeno sa četiri trenera (3 muškarca i jedna žena), koji rade na razlicitim nivoima (od najnižeg nivoa u sportskim klubovima do najvišeg nivoa u nacionalnim timovima) u svakoj od zemalja. Istraživanje je pokazalo da su svi od ispitivanih trenera održavali treninge dva puta nedjeljno. Uz nacionalne igre, svaka od navedenih zemalja organizuje takmičenja na regionalnom nivou i učestvuje u međunarodnim događajima. Podaci pokazuju da su kampovi za obuku, koji traju od 5 do 14 dana u toku godine, organizovani u svim zemljama koje su učestvovale u istraživanju. Istraživanje je pokazalo određene mogućnosti obuke, koje više odgovaraju standardu rekreativnog sporta nego standardu vrhunskog sporta. Pozitivno otkriće predstavljala je mogućnost treniranja sa zdravom populacijom, što se može smatrati bitnim fenomenom socijalne inkluzije.

Keywords (MNE)

intelektualni invaliditet, stoni tenis, proces treniranja, takmičenje, kampovi za obuku

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