2018, Volume 14

Effects of adapted karate program in the treatment of persons with mild intellectual disability

Dušan Perić¹, Simo Salapura², Danica Džinović-Kojić³, Milan Nešić<sup>1

1</sup>Faculty of sport and tourism, Educons University, Novi Sad, Serbia
²Sports association of the City of Zrenjanin, Zrenjanin, Serbia
³Teacher Education Faculty, Universyty of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia


Author for correspondence: Dušan Perić; Faculty of sport and tourism, Educons University, Novi Sad, Serbia; email: dusan.peric@tims.edu.rs

Full text

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: Adapted sports activities play a significant role in working with persons with developmental difficulties. This study deals with the effects of such a program, where elements of karate have been applied. Aim of analysis there are the changes (assuming that the stimuli will be strong enough) in motor and psycho-social traits created under the influence of adapted karate.

Material and Methods: A 12-week long experimental treatment (3 trainings per week lasting for 60 minutes in inclusive conditions) has been applied to the sample of 15 adolescents (8 male, 7 female) with mild intellectual disability, ages of 16-19 years old. Before and after the treatment the developmental level of psycho-physical characteristics of the examinees had been evaluated. A standardized scale of adaptive behavior was used to evaluate the general physical development, self-initiative, perseverance and the level of social interaction. The quality of specific motoric skills was evaluated by a numeric scale during the performance of karate elements.

Results: The adapted karate program had a positive impact on the psycho-physical development of the examinees. A statistically significant progress of physical development, social interaction and specific motor skills has been recorded. Significant changes have not been determined only for self-initiative and perseverance. The gender of the examinees did not have a statistically significant impact in regards to any of the changes occurring during the experimental period.

Conclusions: The study results proved the importance of systematic physical activity for improving motor development and psycho-social status of persons with mild intellectual disability. It is not sufficiently explained to what extent the work in inclusive conditions contributed to the change of adaptive behavior, which is the reason for a new research with the control group.

Key words: motor skills development, psycho-social development, adaptive behavior, self-initiative, perseverance, social interaction