Kreinbucher-Bekerle C, Perkounig TM, Novak B, Sattler MC. Differences in physical activity volume and intensity between Unified and non-Unified Special Olympics football training: An observational pilot study.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2024;
37:e13193. [PMID:
38361364 DOI:
10.1111/jar.13193]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The participation of people with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics sports and training opportunities offers numerous benefits for health and inclusion. However, little is known about the impact of such training on physical activity behaviour. Here, we evaluate the differences in physical activity volume and intensity of Special Olympics athletes between Unified and non-Unified football training.
METHOD
Accelerometer data of 12 male athletes from eight standardised training sessions (four Unified, four non-Unified) were analysed.
RESULTS
While there was no statistically significant difference for the main part of the training, athletes showed higher levels of physical activity intensity (MVPA: Mdiff = 11.74%; 95% CI = 5.50-17.97) and volume (average acceleration ENMO: Mdiff = 112.82 mg; 95% CI = 24.73-200.90) in a Unified compared to non-Unified endurance-related exercise task.
CONCLUSION
Understanding physical activity participation in different training types can help to design and implement future training programmes.
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