Abstract: The study aims to investigate the effect of an adapted badminton initial training model for people with intellectual disabilities in an inclusive sport setting. The experimental group (EG) included a total of 8 athletes: autism (5), Down syndrome (2), and Williams-Beuren syndrome (1); age: 15.5 ± 0.8 years old, who were trained twice a week for a period of 6 months. The methodology of the study involved the approbation of an instrument from the Special Olympics badminton program to divide the athletes by 6 indicators: Test 1 – Shuttle Control; Test 2 – High Serve; Test 3 – FH/ BH Net Shot; Test 4 – FH/BH Net Lift; Test 5 – FH Clear; Test 6 – Rallying and Movement. A descriptive rating scale with 8 components served to control and evaluate the technical-tactical skills. Results showing average values measured at the end of the experiment indicate that the best-learned element is observed in Test 2 – “High Long Service” – 7.25, followed by Test 6 – “Rallying and Movement” – 7.00. Three items fall within the range of scores 6.88 – 6.25 – 6.00, respectively Test 3 – Test 5 – Test 4. The weakest improvement was reported for the item, Test 1 – “Shuttle Control” – 4.5, which we attribute to the high coordination complexity and concentration of attention required in performing the motor skill. The improvement of individual technical elements, expressed as a percentage, is in the range 66% – 89.5% for different competitors. The application of the model of initial badminton training in athletes with intellectual disabilities is effective, as indicated by the statistically significant results measured at the end of the experiment. We suspect that under the influence of the applied Methodology, other positive changes related to the development of motor abilities, such as agility, speed and endurance, etc. might be observed.
Keywords: badminton, adapted badminton, intellectual disabilities
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https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=3uoqIhG8C467SBiOvrai6TdxYiSzCnOEEIKB6S51JyFOld47yB1sEYudiLmvrnT38U7rhYesjEmdYN2hT22nDB7O1Ul4uS_V-U7ZfgNoS0%3d&uniplatform=NZKPT (accessed on 12 January 2022).
Author Info:
Dr. Rumyana Kirilova Ivanova, Chief Assist. Prof.
ORCID ID: 0009-0001-3081-1651
National Sports Academy „Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria,
Football and tennis department, badminton sector
E-mail: rumyana.ivanova@nsa.bg
English 
Български