Developing Psychomotor Skills and Social Attributes Through Integrated Psychomotor and Unified Football Training: A Special Olympics Intervention Study

Authors

  • Valentina Stefanica Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Center, Pitesti, Romania, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4031-1412
  • Ionut-Traian Mercea Department of Educational Science, Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Psychology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Center, 110040 Pitesti, Romania
  • Vasile Emil Ursu Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University “1 Decembrie 1918” of Alba Iulia, Alba Iulia 510009, Romania
  • Corneliu Florin Gorban Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Agriculture, ”Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Science, Iași 700490, Romania;
  • Cristian Dragos Doctoral student, Doctoral Program in Marketing, Bucharest University Of Economic Studies, Piața Romană 6, București 010374, Romania; https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1863-9757
  • Costinel Mihaiu Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Bucharest, Romania, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0897-0780
  • Gina Gogean Groza Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University “1 Decembrie 1918” of Alba Iulia, Alba Iulia 510009, Romania; 

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/16.3/892

Keywords:

Friendship Activity Scale scores, static balance, dynamic balance, pulse processing speed, identified stimuli

Abstract

This research investigates the combined effects of a tailored psychomotor development training and  Unified Sports football program on psychomotor abilities and social attributes among Special Olympics  athletes with intellectual disabilities aged 16-18 in Romania. The study aims to assess the impact of the integrated psychomotor and Unified Football training program on the psychomotor abilities of youth Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities, evaluate the influence of the intervention on their social attributes, and examine the relationship between psychomotor abilities and social attributes among participants. The findings indicate significant improvements in psychomotor skills, including Static Balance (t = -8.042, p < 0.001), Identified Stimuli (t = -7.000, p < 0.001), and Friendship Activity Scale  scores (t = -8.990, p < 0.001), reflecting substantial enhancements from initial to final testing. Moreover, Pulse Processing Speed showed a significant improvement (t = -2.299, p = 0.042). However, while Dynamic Balance exhibited a negative t-value (t = -2.021), the p-value of 0.068 indicates a marginally significant improvement. These results suggest notable advancements in psychomotor skills and social interaction among Special Olympics athletes, underscoring the effectiveness of the integrated training program. The implications of these findings extend to coaches and practitioners involved in designing tailored training programs aimed at enhancing psychomotor and social skills among athletes with intellectual disabilities.

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Published

2024-08-12

How to Cite

Stefanica, V., Mercea, I.-T. ., Ursu, V. E. ., Gorban, C. F. ., Dragos, C. ., Mihaiu, C. ., & Gogean Groza, G. . (2024). Developing Psychomotor Skills and Social Attributes Through Integrated Psychomotor and Unified Football Training: A Special Olympics Intervention Study. Revista Romaneasca Pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 16(3), 224-242. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/16.3/892

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