Impact of adapted physical education and para-athletics on mental skills and on pedagogical and school inclusion of teenagers with disabilities

Authors

  • Omar BEN RAKAA Multidisciplinary Laboratory In Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF). Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic. Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2181-5247
  • Mustapha BASSIRI Multidisciplinary Laboratory In Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF). Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic. Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca
  • Said LOTFI Multidisciplinary Laboratory In Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF). Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic. Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v68.111520

Keywords:

Psychological skills, cognitive skills, stress reaction, para-sport, well-being, inclusive education

Abstract

Introduction: This study examines the influence of the integration of two adapted programs (adapted physical education and para-athletics) on the mental abilities and of motor-disabled students.

Objective: The objective is to identify strategies to promote effective inclusion in educational environments, particularly in physical education.

Methodology: The study was conducted with 96 pupils with motor disabilities (14-18 yrs), enrolled in public schools in Morocco. In accordance with the provisions stipulated by the Para Athletics classification, the categorization of disability classes was divided into three distinct groups. The participants were randomly divided into 3 groups. The 1st group(control) does not possess a defined program; in the 2nd group, subjects followed an APE program comprising 24 sessions over a 3-month period. The 3rd group benefited from the same APE-para-athletics program (24 sessions) and inclusive competitions. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. The OMSAT-4 Mental Ability Scale and the Sense of School (SSIS) Pedagogical Inclusion (SPIS) were employed for the assessment of the participants.

Results: The control-group demonstrated no statistically significant change, with some variables exhibiting a decline. The APE-program yielded significant improvements in basic skills, including commitment (+50.16%), as well as psychosomatic skills such as stress reaction (+35.67%). The group that received the APE-Para-athletics combination exhibited the most notable outcomes (p<.05), displaying a pronounced enhancement in all competencies, including stress reaction (+84.39%) and concentration (+75.44%).

Conclusions: The integration of APE-Para-athletics programs has been demonstrated to significantly enhance the mental skills and sense of inclusion of motor-disabled students.

Author Biographies

Omar BEN RAKAA, Multidisciplinary Laboratory In Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF). Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic. Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca

Ben Rakaa, Omar: omarbenrakaa@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2181-5247; Phd Student, Researcher in Adapted Physical Activityat Multidisciplinary Laboratory in Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF), Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic, Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca, 19, Rue Tarik Ibnou Ziad, Casablanca 21100, Morocco.

 

Mustapha BASSIRI, Multidisciplinary Laboratory In Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF). Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic. Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca

Bassiri, Mustapha: m.bassiri@enscasa.ma; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1077-8057; Professor at Multidisciplinary Laboratory in Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF), Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic, Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca, 19, Rue Tarik Ibnou Ziad, Casablanca 21100, Morocco.

Said LOTFI, Multidisciplinary Laboratory In Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF). Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic. Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca

Lotfi, Said: lotfisaid@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0008-6145; Professor and Director of Multidisciplinary Laboratory in Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF), Research Team Leader in Sport Science Assessment and Physical Activity Didactic, Normal Higher School (ENS-C), Hassan II University of Casablanca, 19, Rue Tarik Ibnou Ziad, Casablanca 21100, Morocco.

References

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I am available to be contacted at any time for any questions or additional information. You can reach me by email at omarbenrakaa@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Omar BEN RAKAA

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Published

2025-05-14

How to Cite

BEN RAKAA, O., BASSIRI, M., & LOTFI, S. (2025). Impact of adapted physical education and para-athletics on mental skills and on pedagogical and school inclusion of teenagers with disabilities. Retos, 68, 82–94. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v68.111520

Issue

Vol. 68 (2025)

Section

Original Research Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Omar BEN RAKAA, Mustapha BASSIRI, Said LOTFI

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