2016, Volume 12
The main dilemmas of taekwondo training of students with disabilities - analysis of the opinion of professional coaches
Jacqueline Martins Patatas1, Edison Duarte1, José Júlio Gavião de Almeida1
1School of Physical Education, Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity, University of Campinas, Jundiai, Brazil
Author for correspondence: Jacqueline Martins Patatas; School of Physical Education, Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity, University of Campinas, Jundiai, Brazil; email: patatasjmp[at]gmail.com
Full text
Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Inserted in the sporting context, people with disabilities are also part of martial arts and combat sports. In this study was addressed a specific sport, taekwondo for people with disabilities, also known as para-taekwondo, recently inserted in the Summer Paralympic Games program. The purpose of this study was knowledge of the professional qualification of coaches on taekwondo training of people with disabilities, as well as the knowledge related to this practice and how they perceive the student with disabilities in the sporting context.
Material and Methods: The participants chosen were physical education professionals (n = 17) who also act as taekwondo coaches in gyms or clubs in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The coaches participated in a semi-structured interview and the data were analysed using qualitative content analysis method.
Results: The findings demonstrate that the study sample does not seem to be adequately prepared to teach students with disabilities in their taekwondo classes. Both level of knowledge about para-taekwondo and knowledge about disability specificities were shown below desirable level of preparation, even though more than half of the interviewed coaches have had or have students with disabilities in taekwondo classes.
Conclusions: The coaches do not seem to be adequately prepared to receive students with disabilities in their taekwondo classes. The results indicated that is fundamental, for the quality of the taekwondo classes toward students with disabilities, a good professional training for coaches who teach classes to this population, in order to avoid compromising their learning.
Key words: adapted physical education, Paralympic Movement, para-taekwondo, physical education