european college of sport science

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
17:15 - 18:45
Oral presentations
OP-AP01 Adapted physical activity
THE EFFECT OF COOPERATIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ON THE GROUP STRUCTURE OF PUBESCENT, MOTOR-DISABLED
CHILDREN
KOVÁCS, K., SZILÁRD SÁRINGER, Z.
SEMMELWEIS UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT SCIENCES, PETő ANDRÁS TEACHER TRAINING AND TRAIN-
ING INSTITUTE OF THE MOTOR DISABLED
Earlier studies in applied pedagogy (Newcomb, Bukowski, Pattee, 1993) have shown that one of the traits of practical cognitive aspect is
that the development of an aptitude for thinking is the solution for most educational problems. In spite of the fact that the quality of social
interactions has a major impact on performance. Physical skills and/or social qualities and abilities must be used as an educational tool
to develop personality. Indeed, in a good group the students require the support of each other and benefit from the cooperative attitude
as well as from their performance (N. Kollár, 1997).
In our earlier studies (Kovács, 2004, 2006) we found that in small groups (14-18 students), that 3-4 months of regular cooperative physical
activity has a positive impact on group structure. The overall position of the girls in the experimental group shifted in a positive direction
while in the control group the position of the students either deteriorated or did not change.
In this study we map changes to the group structure and sociometric status of motor disabled children marginalized by their peers under
the influence of performance-oriented and competitive rowing practice three times a week.
We hypothesize that the necessity to work together during the physical exercise program would have a positive impact on group structure
and reduce the degree by which students on the group periphery were marginalized by their peers.
The participants were 11-15 years old (N=15) motor disabled children, who traveled by bus to training. The students depended upon each
other from the beginning of the bus trip until end of the training. Their success and enjoyment of each session required coordinated
teamwork.
Sociometric status was measured with Shellenberger’s Group-Evaluative Method (1990). We extended the matrix (Kovács, 2005) to the ‘Y’
axis, graphing the average score the student gave to each classmate regarding how willingly they would make a joint decision.
As successful cooperation depends on working together, the answers to the decision question will mirror social abilities.
The initial group structure was very similar to that observed in our earlier studies. The students favored two of their peers, and strongly
marginalized 3- 4 of them.
In our presentation we graphically present the effect of 10 weeks’ cooperative program on the group’s structure, and the sociometric
distance between students.
Reference:
Kovács K. és Kudar, K. (2004): The Effect of Cooperative School Games on Self-Concept and Position in Group Evaluative Method of 12-14
Year School Girls. Pre-Olympic Congress, Volume I. 496.p.
Kovács K. (2006): The Effect of Cooperative School Games on Pubescent Girls’ Decision and Study Aspect of Sociometric Status. 11th annual
Congress of the European College of Sport Sciences, Lausanne, Switzerland, Volume p.: 169.
Newcomb, A., Bukowski, W., Pattee, L. (1993): Children’s peer realitons. Pscycholgy, Bull. 113. p.99-128
Schellenberger, H. (1990): Psychology of Team Sports. Sport Books Publisher, Toronto
RECRUITING PEOPLE WITH DISABILTIES TO NORWEGIAN SPORT
THORESEN, T., FASTING, K., SAND, T.S., SISJORD, M.K., BROCH, B.T.
NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF SPORT SCIENCES
Introduction: This paper presents some results from a study documenting the current state of equality within Norwegian sports and
fitness activities, especially with regard to gender. The project was initiated in 2007 by The Norwegian Equality and Anti-Discrimination
Ombud, and carried through by a research group at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. The Norwegian Sports for the Disabled
Association was dissolved on 1. September 2007, after the national sporting associations passed a resolution that they would commit to
taking responsibility for organising sports for the disabled.
The results discussed in this paper answered this question: To what extent is work being done at the various organisational levels to
facilitate and recruit people with disabilities?
Methods: Representatives from 24 individual sport associations, 6 regional confederations and 43 clubs were interviewed. In addition,
the researchers reviewed their annual reports, strategy documents and action plans.
Results: A great deal of work is done in order to accommodate and recruit people with disabilities. This is related to the fact that, however,
that there are large variations with regard to how much work has been invested in this endeavour, even if there is a high degree of
awareness with regard to the articulated goal of integration.
Several associations refer to the fact that recruitment among people with disabilities represents a big challenge, and point to difficulty in
making contact with people with disabilities and reaching them with information. Some associations also pointed out that it was a big
challenge to get the clubs to take responsibility for the integration of disabled people.
Many of the teams mentioned challenges connected to the involvement as a limiting factor. It appears that many of the disabled people
that are active in teams are children, while the accommodation
and inclusion of disabled adults is perceived to be a great deal more difficult. There appear to be few disabled people who are active as
board members, coaches and officials.
Discussion: One challenge regarding recruiting people with disabilities seem to be their dependence on help and facilitation for doing
sports and to become board members. Therefore the results are discussed on the background on Norwegian social politics with refer-
OSLO/NORWAY, JUNE 24-27, 2009 285