Adapted Physical Activity: Terminology, History, and Legal Framework

Posted on Dec 14, 2024 in Physical Education

Item 1: Terminology and Historical Evolution of Adapted Physical Activity (AFA)

Index

  • Evolution of Terminology
  • Special Education
  • Special Physical Education
  • Adapted Physical Education
  • Inclusive Physical Education
  • Adapted Physical Activities
  • Legislative Framework of Reference
  • References and Resources

Special Education

Educational activities designed for those individuals who, by their specific deficiencies or difficulties, cannot fully adapt to the levels, degrees, and forms of education, training, and education of the socio-educational establishment (Garcia, 1988).

Adapted Physical Education

It is a diversified program of developmental activities, games, sports, and rhythms, appropriate to the interests, capabilities, and limitations of students with difficulties who cannot participate without restrictions, security, and continuity in the activities of regular Physical Education (AAHPERD, 1952).

Special Physical Education (I)

Physical Education and content objectives (AAHPERD, 1973):

  • Corrective (minimally) through exercise programs and activities planned individually, usually postural and orthopedic problems.
  • Therapeutic: individual treatments based on a particular medical condition.

Special Physical Education (II)

  • Education or rehabilitation: alter or improve a function or structure through exercises and/or physical activities.
  • Adapted: modification and improvement of attitudes, so sports and games are adapted to allow their practice by people with limitations, difficulties, and shortcomings, providing the means for each person to develop sufficient skills in various activities so that they can participate with their peers.

Special Physical Education (III)

  • Experiential: programs for toning and strengthening, stimulating development and/or growth.
  • Special: according to the needs and abilities of special populations.

Adapted Physical Activity (AFA, I)

For Doll-Tepper (1989), it refers to the movement, physical activity, and sport with particular emphasis on the interests and abilities of individuals with limiting conditions such as a disability, health problems, or aging.

Adapted Physical Activity (AFA, II)

For C. Sherrill (1994), AFA is a multidisciplinary theory and practice related to the vital activities of individuals with peculiarities (“uniqueness”) in their functional structure or appearance. It requires:

(A) the assessment of ecosystems and

(B) facilitating the changes necessary for equal access, integration, and inclusion, being vital, successful experiences related to the movement, self-improvement (“empowerment”), and self-actualization.

Adapted Physical Activity (AFA, III)

For Rodrigues (1995), it involves activities that can be developed for special populations for therapeutic purposes, recreation, fitness, or competition, conducted with the aim of improving the quality of life.

Adapted Physical Activity (AFA, IV)

To Hutzler (2008), AFA is a set of skills that include:

  • Physical activities by persons with disabilities
  • Systems developed to provide services to ensure the participation of such persons
  • Professional specialization that attracts professionals from educational and academic disciplines and a field of academic study

Areas of Specialization in AFA, the AFA Domains (I)

For DePauw & Sherrill (1994), it is an inter/multidisciplinary area of expertise in relation to persons with disabilities, including:

  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Physical Education and Sport
  • Leisure and recreation
  • Competitive sport at all levels

AFA combines information and research results from the sport and movement sciences (e.g., biomechanics, physiology, etc.) and other sciences (e.g., medicine, rehabilitation sciences, psychology, etc.).

Areas of Specialization in AFA, the AFA Domains (II)

Some practical applications of the AFA, as per DePauw & Sherrill (1994), are the following, all with the aim of improving the quality of life of people with different needs. They can be directed to topics such as:

  • Equal access to opportunities for physical exercise
  • The rights of individuals to participate in physical activity by accepting their own risk
  • Individualized training courses for teachers, coaches, and managers of recreation/leisure, free time
  • The development of recreation programs
  • Assistance and resources to include people in existing programs (education, training, etc.)
  • Development of new strategies and approaches to physical activity and sport from the field of rehabilitation and therapy

Areas of Expertise in AFA, the AFA Domains (III)

AFA is a kind of general term for education, recreation, sport, and treatment in the field of interventions through movement.

The ultimate goal of the AFA is to increase the ability of people to lead and manage their lives, ultimately achieving personal autonomy and, by extension, their quality of life.

Spanish Constitution (1978)

Article 43

  1. The right to health protection is recognized.
  2. Public authorities are responsible for organizing and safeguarding public health through preventive measures and the necessary benefits and services. The law shall establish the rights and duties of all in this respect.
  3. The public authorities shall foster health education, physical education, and sport. They shall also encourage the proper use of leisure.

Article 49

The authorities shall carry out a policy of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the physically, sensory, and mentally disabled, who shall be provided with the specialized care they require and shall be specially protected for the enjoyment of the rights that this Title grants to all citizens.

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 30.5)

Resolution of December 13, 2006, United Nations. Ratified by Spain (BOE April 21, 2008).

To enable people with disabilities to participate on an equal basis with others in recreational, leisure, and sporting activities, States shall take appropriate measures to:

a) Encourage and promote the participation, to the greatest extent possible, of persons with disabilities in mainstream sporting activities at all levels.

b) Ensure that persons with disabilities have opportunities to organize and develop specific sporting and recreational activities for such persons and to participate in such activities, and to this end, encourage the provision, on an equal basis with others, of instruction, training, and resources.

c) Ensure that persons with disabilities have access to sporting, leisure, and tourism venues.

d) Ensure that children with disabilities have equal access with other children to participation in play, recreation, leisure, and sporting activities, including those within the school system.

e) Ensure that persons with disabilities have access to services from those involved in the organization of recreational, leisure, and sports tourism.